Recent Patients at Adelaide Koala & Wildlife Centre
Our recent patient stories listed below highlight the real outcomes of the clinical care we provide to injured and unwell wildlife across South Australia. Each case reflects the complexity of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, from trauma caused by vehicle strikes and dog attacks to disease management and critical care support.
Your support plays a direct role in this work. Donations fund essential treatment, diagnostics, and ongoing care, allowing us to respond quickly and provide the level of care each animal requires. Donate to save wildlife today.
Your support plays a direct role in this work. Donations fund essential treatment, diagnostics, and ongoing care, allowing us to respond quickly and provide the level of care each animal requires. Donate to save wildlife today.
Walter's Journey to Recovery
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Walter, a koala, arrived at our Centre after being struck by a car. During his care, we conducted a series of diagnostic tests and discovered blood in his mouth. Our primary concern was the possibility of a tooth root abscess, a common and challenging condition in koalas due to the risk of bone infection.
To gain a better understanding of his condition, we utilised dental X-rays to examine his mouth, gums, and jaw. Fortunately, no abscess was found; it appeared the injury might have resulted from the car accident. We prescribed a week-long course of antibiotics and pain relief.
Walter thrived during his recovery, displaying an excellent appetite, and was ultimately released back into the wild.
Emmett - the Drop-Bear
Emmett was a young koala, likely recently separated from his mother. He arrived at our clinic after being observed falling from a tree. It's not unusual for young koalas to tumble from trees as they navigate their independence or due to confrontations with other koalas, particularly larger, territorial males.
To assess any potential injuries from the fall, Emmett required complete X-rays. Fortunately, he emerged without any serious injuries, though he probably experienced some soreness from the incident. All other tests indicated he was a healthy koala. Following a week-long course of pain relief, and with his continued good health, he was fitted with an ear tag for future identification and successfully returned to the wild and hopefully with improved climbing skills!
To assess any potential injuries from the fall, Emmett required complete X-rays. Fortunately, he emerged without any serious injuries, though he probably experienced some soreness from the incident. All other tests indicated he was a healthy koala. Following a week-long course of pain relief, and with his continued good health, he was fitted with an ear tag for future identification and successfully returned to the wild and hopefully with improved climbing skills!
The severity of dog attacks
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Koala "Anna" suffered critical injuries after being attacked by a Husky in a yard. Treating dog bites can be particularly challenging due to the heightened risk of bacterial infections. Alarmingly, recent statistics reveal that over 75% of dog attacks on koalas are fatal, with many succumbing either at the scene or shortly after, despite veterinary care.
Fortunately, Anna was found to have a small joey, weighing around 270 grams, in her pouch, and the joey did not sustain any injuries. Our veterinary treatment included intravenous fluids, multiple antibiotics, and pain management over a span of 14 days, during which both Anna and her joey were closely monitored. This careful observation involved ultrasounds to check for bite wounds that could penetrate vital organs, x-rays to assess any gastrointestinal issues, and blood tests to detect potential infections. To learn more about dog attacks on koalas and what we see here at our clinic, read this story.
After a lengthy recovery period with us, Anna was entrusted to a caregiver for continued support, and both her and her young joey were released to the wild
Fortunately, Anna was found to have a small joey, weighing around 270 grams, in her pouch, and the joey did not sustain any injuries. Our veterinary treatment included intravenous fluids, multiple antibiotics, and pain management over a span of 14 days, during which both Anna and her joey were closely monitored. This careful observation involved ultrasounds to check for bite wounds that could penetrate vital organs, x-rays to assess any gastrointestinal issues, and blood tests to detect potential infections. To learn more about dog attacks on koalas and what we see here at our clinic, read this story.
After a lengthy recovery period with us, Anna was entrusted to a caregiver for continued support, and both her and her young joey were released to the wild
Echidna vs. Car
Echidnas are predominantly active and noticeable during the winter months, particularly from late May to early September. This timeframe aligns with their breeding season, during which males actively seek out females. Tragically, while attempting to cross a road, “Turbo” the echidna was hit by a car.
The driver stopped, allowing Turbo to receive immediate care, which revealed significant damage to its beak with a small break and a deep wound. Since beaks are essential for echidnas to access termite mounds, addressing this injury is vital. By placing Turbo under light anesthesia, our veterinarian can thoroughly assess the echidna, as examination is extremely challenging when they are awake. Their natural defense mechanism is to curl into a tight ball, making it impossible to examine the beak if Turbo were alert.
Turbo recovered well with regular check-ups from his rescuer and was successfully released back into the wild after healing and many return visits to our clinic.
The driver stopped, allowing Turbo to receive immediate care, which revealed significant damage to its beak with a small break and a deep wound. Since beaks are essential for echidnas to access termite mounds, addressing this injury is vital. By placing Turbo under light anesthesia, our veterinarian can thoroughly assess the echidna, as examination is extremely challenging when they are awake. Their natural defense mechanism is to curl into a tight ball, making it impossible to examine the beak if Turbo were alert.
Turbo recovered well with regular check-ups from his rescuer and was successfully released back into the wild after healing and many return visits to our clinic.
Boxer's bout with chlamydia (and a golf ball)
Boxer the koala faced a stroke of bad luck when he was struck by a golf ball, leading to his arrival at our clinic for evaluation. As part of our standard care protocol, a comprehensive assessment was performed, resulting in a positive diagnosis of chlamydia. To read about chlamydia in koalas and our treatment, see our chlamydia information page.
Fortunately, Boxer was an ideal candidate for treatment: he was a young male in excellent physical condition and adapted well to being in care. He received four doses of chlamydia medication, which often causes gastrointestinal issues in koalas.
After two months of dedicated care, Boxer was successfully released back into the wild.
Fortunately, Boxer was an ideal candidate for treatment: he was a young male in excellent physical condition and adapted well to being in care. He received four doses of chlamydia medication, which often causes gastrointestinal issues in koalas.
After two months of dedicated care, Boxer was successfully released back into the wild.
Saving "Bobette"
Yellow Tail Black Cockatoos are classified as ‘vulnerable’ in South Australia. When this bird arrived at our Centre, struggling to fly, barely breathing, and on the brink of death, we knew we had to do everything possible to help her.
Named “Bobette” by our team, her road to recovery lasted three months, and at times, we doubted her chances of survival. Through intensive care and constant monitoring, she gradually regained her strength, allowing us to transition her to larger cages each month as she healed.
In the final weeks leading up to her release, we concentrated on enhancing her flight strength and ensuring she received proper nutrition. With our veterinarians and vet nurse present, Bobette was released back into the wild, soaring from her cage and taking to the trees.