Alfred the koala, who was found in a Brisbane woman’s backpack last week, is responding well to recovery efforts, authorities say.
The dehydrated koala was found during a routine check of a 50-year-old woman in Wishart on November 6, weighing just 1.5 kilograms at 12 months old.
He was promptly taken to the Moggill Koala Hospital where he is recovering under the care of Trudi Timbs from the Ipswich Koala Protection Society.
“He is progressing well, has no obvious injury or signs of disease, has gained a little weight in his first week in care and is responding to lots of ‘TLC’,” environment minister Dr Steven Miles said during a visit at the hospital today.
“He needs time to rest so that he can make a full recovery and after that he’ll be returned into the wild,” Dr Miles said.
“We will ensure he’s fully fit before releasing him, and we also know he can’t be kept in care too long, in case it works against him fending for himself when back in his natural habitat.”
Senior Constable Rio Law, who found the koala, said she was relieved Alfred is under good care.
“I’m just happy that there is someone taking good care of him now and preparing for his return to his proper environment,” she said.
The Queensland government has committed to a $12 million funding boost to assist koala conservation measures.
Anyone finding an injured sick or orphaned koala should report this as soon as possible on 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625).