Found a koala in Adelaide? Here's what to do
Finding a koala on the ground in South Australia can be alarming, but knowing what to do makes all the difference. Koalas that come down from trees are often unwell, injured or severely heat stressed and in most cases they need professional veterinary attention. Keep people and pets away, do not offer food or water, and contact a wildlife rescue organisation as soon as possible. The rescue team will assess the koala and arrange transport to a veterinary clinic if treatment is needed.
Contact numbers for koala rescue in South Australia are listed below.
Need to know more? Then read on for full details.
Contact numbers for koala rescue in South Australia are listed below.
Need to know more? Then read on for full details.
What to do at a glance
- If it is walking between trees and climbs again, give it space and keep pets away.
- If it stays on the ground and does not climb again, contact a koala rescue group.
- Keep people and dogs well away.
- Do not pick it up or take it home.
- Do not force water or give food.
- If you are unsure, seek advice.
A koala that does not climb again needs assessment.
I’ve found a koala. What should I do?
Finding a koala can be worrying, especially if you are not sure whether it needs help or should be left alone. Many people feel unsure what the right thing to do is, and that is completely understandable.
Koalas are quiet, stoic animals. Wildlife veterinary experience shows that when a koala appears unwell or out of place, it often already needs help.
This page explains how to recognise when a koala needs assistance, what you can safely do in the moment, and what happens once a koala reaches professional care.
Donate to save Adelaide's wildlife here
Koalas are quiet, stoic animals. Wildlife veterinary experience shows that when a koala appears unwell or out of place, it often already needs help.
This page explains how to recognise when a koala needs assistance, what you can safely do in the moment, and what happens once a koala reaches professional care.
Donate to save Adelaide's wildlife here
First things first. Does this koala need help?
It is important to understand one key point. Koalas do go on the ground.
Koalas regularly travel on the ground to move between trees, particularly when:
- moving between preferred food trees
- searching for mates during breeding season
- navigating fragmented habitat
- moving through backyards, reserves, or roadside vegetation
Seeing a koala walking across the ground is not automatically a problem.
When a koala on the ground is normal
A koala may be healthy if it:
- walks steadily and purposefully
- climbs a tree when given space
- appears alert and responsive
- continues moving on its own
In these situations:
- keep dogs and people away
- give the koala space
- allow it time to climb or move on
When a koala on the ground is a concern
A koala does need help if it:
- remains on the ground for an extended period
- does not climb again when given space
- sits at the base of a tree without attempting to climb
- appears weak, hunched, or uncoordinated
- is near a road, fence, or other immediate danger
Wildlife veterinary experience shows that a koala that does not climb again is often injured, unwell, or exhausted, even when no obvious wounds are visible.
Situations that ALWAYS require help (call a rescue group)
A koala needs you to call a rescue group if its:
Vehicle strike and dog attacks among the most common causes of serious injury and death in koalas we see at our clinic. Internal injuries are common and often cannot be seen from the outside.
- on or close to a road, driveway, or fence
- involved in a dog or cat attack, even if no wounds are visible
- trapped in wire, netting, fencing, or in yards with no way of getting out
- in or near an active fire area or recently burnt habitat
Vehicle strike and dog attacks among the most common causes of serious injury and death in koalas we see at our clinic. Internal injuries are common and often cannot be seen from the outside.
Signs of an unwell koala (call a rescue group)
A koala should be assessed if you notice:
- prolonged time on the ground or at the base of a tree
- hunched posture or low sitting position
- limping or holding a limb differently
- bleeding, visible wounds, or wet or matted fur
- panting, drooling, or holding the mouth open
- repeated or urgent drinking - continuous drinking for more than 10 minutes.
- discharge from the eyes or nose
- weakness, lethargy, or poor coordination
Koalas are well known for masking pain and illness. Waiting to see if a koala improves on its own can significantly reduce its chance of survival.
What about baby koalas (joeys)?
Joeys rely on their mother for warmth, nutrition, and protection. Even if a joey appears active or vocal, being separated places it at high risk without intervention.. Any joey on the ground needs help. Do not pick it up and put in a tree and hope for the best. Call a rescue group for further advice.
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Found the koala, and waiting on rescue group to arrive -
what do you do now?
what do you do now?
What should I do right now?
• keep people and pets away
• do not touch or attempt to pick up the koala as they can bite and scratch and cause serious injury to you. A sick koala can still lash out in defence.
• avoid crowding or loud noise
A quiet koala on the ground doesn't mean its calm or not going to hurt you. This is why rescue groups must be called.
Protect from immediate danger if safe to do so
• slow traffic where possible and only if safe to do so. Do not put yourself in danger at any time - if on a road you must look after yourself first. Getting home to your family and friends safely must be your priority right now.
• provide shade using a towel, jacket, or umbrella held nearby
• never chase or force the koala to move
Chasing or herding increases stress, overheating, and injury risk.
Seek advice as soon as possible from a koala rescue group.
• keep people and pets away
• do not touch or attempt to pick up the koala as they can bite and scratch and cause serious injury to you. A sick koala can still lash out in defence.
• avoid crowding or loud noise
A quiet koala on the ground doesn't mean its calm or not going to hurt you. This is why rescue groups must be called.
Protect from immediate danger if safe to do so
• slow traffic where possible and only if safe to do so. Do not put yourself in danger at any time - if on a road you must look after yourself first. Getting home to your family and friends safely must be your priority right now.
• provide shade using a towel, jacket, or umbrella held nearby
• never chase or force the koala to move
Chasing or herding increases stress, overheating, and injury risk.
Seek advice as soon as possible from a koala rescue group.
Who to call in South Australia?
If you find a koala in South Australia, contact one of the following licensed koala rescue organisations.
• Koala Rescue Inc 0474 RESCUE (0474 737 283)
• 1300 KoalaZ 1300 562 529
Both organisations work closely with veterinary services such as our clinic and can assess whether a koala needs intervention and how to respond safely.
Not in South Australia?
If outside of SA, call your local wildlife organisation such as WIRES (NSW) 1300 094 737 Wildlife Victoria 03 8400 7300
Regardless of your location phone any koala specific rescue group.
Please do not take the koala home
Taking a koala home almost always makes things worse, even when intentions are good.
Leave the koala where it is if safe, keep people and pets away, and seek advice from a rescue group.
Taking a koala home almost always makes things worse, even when intentions are good.
- Koalas are extremely stress sensitive. Stress can worsen injuries, cause overheating or shock, and lead to serious complications.
- Homes are not safe environments for koalas. Even short periods indoors expose them to risks such as dog or cat attacks, overheating, falls, and inappropriate food or water.
- Koalas also have long claws and a powerful grip reflex. Untrained handling puts people at risk and can further injure the koala.
- Koalas are protected native wildlife. Members of the public are not permitted to keep koalas at home unless directed by an authorised rescue organisation. It is illegal to take wildlife from the wild and keep them.
Leave the koala where it is if safe, keep people and pets away, and seek advice from a rescue group.
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Should I give the koala water? Koalas do drink free water, particularly during heat stress and illness. However: • never pour water into a koala’s mouth • never force drinking If advised by rescuers, a shallow dish of water may be placed nearby. Remember, continuous drinking is a sign of illness and this koala needs vet attention. Learn more about koalas and water here |
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What happens once the koala is rescued?
Koalas admitted to wildlife clinics such as ours undergo structured veterinary assessment, which may include:
- physical examination
- assessment of hydration, temperature, and pain
- imaging for trauma/disease
- supportive care such as fluids, pain relief, oxygen, and warming
- if possible the koala will eventually go into care to recover or released to the wild as soon as possible
- if the koala cannot be saved / injuries and disease too severe, humane euthanasia will occur.
Many serious injuries are internal and cannot be identified without veterinary assessment.
Adelaide Koala and Wildlife Centre needs your donations to treat and save the koalas you find.
See how to Make A Donation to Adelaide's wildlife here.
If you are unsure, seek advice
If something does not feel right, trust that instinct. Call a rescue group. If that rescue group can't assist or doesn't answer, please try other groups. Most of these groups are volunteers, so they may not always be available right at that minute but please continue to call.
Want to help koalas get the care they need once rescued? Then please consider donating to our clinic and help us get upgrades to equipment, pay for diagnostic tools and extra medications. We rely on YOU to keep us going beyond our government funding (operational costs only). Our wildlife needs the community to help them.
Donate HERE and make a difference
If something does not feel right, trust that instinct. Call a rescue group. If that rescue group can't assist or doesn't answer, please try other groups. Most of these groups are volunteers, so they may not always be available right at that minute but please continue to call.
Want to help koalas get the care they need once rescued? Then please consider donating to our clinic and help us get upgrades to equipment, pay for diagnostic tools and extra medications. We rely on YOU to keep us going beyond our government funding (operational costs only). Our wildlife needs the community to help them.
Donate HERE and make a difference