On a Tuesday night in late August, the Koala Hospital was called to a rescue in Gordon Street opposite Growers Market.  

A young koala had decided to cross 4 lanes of traffic. It went under a car and came out the other side unscathed – probably due to his small size.
It then climbed to the top of the nearest telegraph pole and sat on the electric cables. The rescuers were unable to reach it as it was too high and very dangerous.  

An approach was made to the Port Macquarie Fire Brigade and 6 firemen arrived 10 minutes later in a large fire truck. Using a ladder and poles, they brought the young male down to safety.  
The Koala Hospital would like to say a big thank you to these firemen. The koala has been named “Gordon Firie” in honour of the firemen and will be released into a safer area after a short R n R at the hospital.

What a lucky koala!!

It would have been terrible to lose this young male as he is part of the Koala Hospital’s future breeding stock, but unfortunately this type of rescue will be occurring more frequently now because the koala breeding season is underway.  
Koalas will be moving around a lot more now and we have already had koalas admitted due to dog attacks and motor vehicle accidents.

Sadly, some are not surviving. Young males in particular will be moving around to establish a new home range for themselves.  
We would entreat the public to please take care when driving around Port Macquarie and environs, and to please lock up their dogs at night.  

The survival of koalas is very important to us all.

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