A young female koala, injured after a suspected trampling by cattle, was rescued and brought to the RSPCA Wildlife Hospital in Wacol where it was discovered she had suffered multiple severe fractures and had to be put down.
The incident took place on a rural property in South East Queensland, when a local farmer discovered the koala amidst a group of curious cattle. Initially, the farmer suspected the animal had been trampled and reported the situation to koala rescuer Darren, who leads Care4esk, a conservation awareness group.
Koala Rescued After Cattle Encounter
Darren contacted a fellow rescuer, Charlie Lewis, who arrived at the property to assess the situation. By the time the rescuer arrived, the koala had climbed a tree and stayed there until nightfall. After confirming the animal’s location, Charlie decided to call in a climber to safely retrieve the koala. This method is typically a last resort due to the stress it may cause the animal.
After being safely retrieved, the koala appeared to be in stable condition. However, when she was taken to the RSPCA Wildlife Hospital for examination, veterinarians found that the marsupial had sustained multiple severe fractures. Due to the extent of her injuries, the decision was made to medically end the poor animal’s suffering.
Cattle: An Overlooked Threat to Koalas
While well-known threats to koalas include diseases like chlamydia, dog attacks, and vehicle strikes, the risk posed by cattle is less recognised. Darren noted that cattle can be particularly dangerous in rural areas where livestock and koalas share land. Though cattle attacks on koalas are considered rare, this tragic incident reminds property owners to be mindful of the interactions between their livestock and native wildlife.
Darren advised that while koalas and livestock may typically co-exist peacefully, unexpected incidents like this one can still occur.
Raising Awareness During Save the Koala Month
This tragic incident comes during September, which is recognised as Save the Koala Month, a national effort to raise awareness about the threats faced by Australia’s koalas.
The Care4esk group and RSPCA Wildlife Hospital continue their efforts to raise awareness about threats to koalas and encourage rural property owners to be vigilant. The conservation groups urge property owners and the public to be vigilant by reporting injured wildlife and maintaining koala-friendly environments.
Measures such as fencing off key koala habitats from livestock, planting native trees, and reducing the use of pesticides can all help protect these iconic marsupials and ensure their survival for future generations.
Published 25-Sept-2024
