(Photo : Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)
PORT MACQUARIE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 14: A female koala named 'Spinnaker Petal' is seen eating Eucalyptus in her pen at Port Macquarie Koala Hospital on September 14, 2020, in Port Macquarie, Australia. Established in 1973 the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital has 150 volunteers, a specialised treatment room, intensive care unit and rehabilitation yards. The team were instrumental in treating bushfire affected koalas during what has become known as Australia's Black Summer, however, more common treatments are given for road accident trauma, dog attacks and disease, such as Chlamydia. A New South Wales parliamentary inquiry released in June 2020 has found that koalas will become extinct in the state before 2050 without urgent government intervention. Making 42 recommendations, the inquiry found that climate change is compounding the severity and impact of other threats, such as drought and bushfire, which is drastically impacting koala populations by affecting the quality of their food and habitat. The plight of the koala received global attention in the wake of Australia's devastating bushfire season which saw tens of thousands of animals killed around the country. While recent fires compounded the koala's loss of habitat, the future of the species in NSW is also threatened by continued logging, mining, land clearing, and urban development. Along with advising agencies work together to create a standard method for surveying koala populations, the inquiry also recommended setting aside protected habitat, the ruling out of further opening up of old-growth state forest for logging and the establishment of a well-resourced network of wildlife hospitals in key areas of the state staffed by suitably qualified personnel and veterinarians. The NSW Government has committed to a $44.7 million koala strategy, the largest financial commitment to protecting koalas in the state's history.
This year, 2020, is full of surprises. Indeed, everyone is trying to get into the Christmas spirit this year, even koalas.
A family in Australia was in for a big surprise this week when they have discovered that a koala had wandered into their home and even climbed into their Christmas tree.
On Wednesday, Amanda McCormick wrote her Facebook post with a caption stating that it is something you don't see every day that at the time that they came home, they were welcomed by a real-life koala up on their own Christmas tree in their lounge room.
McCormick, a resident of Coromandel Valley, South Australia, has posted pictures on Facebook of the curious creature among the ornaments of the tree and is looking quite content with its new perch.
She also explained in the comment section of her post that their family had left the back door open so that their dog could get in and out in the morning, but McCormick added that the little lady must have just wandered in and even made herself at home.
The koala, who was nicknamed Daphne has been a cute addition to the tree for the family. However, the animal certainly cannot stay there, prompting McCormick to call 1300KOALAZ, which is a volunteer-run koala rescue organization.
Read Also: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Orders Arrest of Model Who Did a Photoshoot in Giza
According to the organization, at the time that when their hotline operator received the call regarding the holiday koala, she thought that she was being pranked.
Co-founder of the said organization, Dee Hearne-Hellon, shared to CBS News that it is not an everyday event for koalas to wander into people's homes, but it does happen from time to time, especially that they are living throughout the Adelaide suburbs now, so it is going to happen.
She also added that despite countering many koalas entering other homes, a koala in a Christmas tree is certainly the first time they have encountered.
Hearne-Hellon also shared to the news agency that two of the group's volunteer rescuers were able to retrieve the koala in just a few minutes from its festive spot, International Business Times reported.
McCormick posted a video on Facebook exhibiting the rescue wherein volunteers can be witnessed carefully approaching the creature and even giving the koala a few pats.
McCormick can also be heard in the background saying that the animal's very calm.
During the retrieval operation, the volunteers placed a towel over the koala and began to move it, which prompted it to appear to growl.
Rescuers then carefully lifted the creature off the tree and into a carrier.
According to Hearne-Hellon, the female koala, which was nicknamed by the family as Daphne, is about 3 to 4 years old. The little healthy creature was promptly released back outside into a large gum tree, which is at the front of the family's property, Independent reported.
The co-founder of the koala rescue organization, Hearne-Hellon shared that koalas found in homes should be left alone as they can be aggressive when confronted.
She also suggested that if other people may encounter the same scenario, never hesitate to call the koala rescue organization, 1300KOALAZ.
Related Article: Police Arrest Swedish Woman for Holding Son Captive for Almost 3 Decades
