Koalas in Stress

The koala population in the Adelaide Hills is not original to the area. They were introduced and have flourished spreading down onto the plains and urban areas. We have resident koalas. Sometimes up to 4 are visable in the daytime and their donkey-like brays are commonly heard at night. With the drought and the lack of moisture in the eucalypts leaves they come out of the trees to seek ground water. Sometimes they look distressed and on the recent 45.7 degree day we sprayed them in the trees.

One adolescent did not leave the front lawn in the morning. I thought that he was done for. So my husband decided to don large gloves and pick him up (not recommended as they have suprisingly big and sharp claws) and put him in a tree to see if he could feed himself.

There is a koala rescue line but they would be flat out in these conditions, so this was our Plan A.
The koala was quite docile, and after he was put into a small tree, he sat and recovered for a while before climbing higher. Next morning he was back on our lawn hugging a bird bath but a few hours later climbed another tree. We think he is OK now.

Another, larger koala, took to hiding next to our tool shed in the shade. They can be harassed by large dogs so the ground is not recommended.

This heat wave is due to pass on Sunday when the temperature is expected to drop to 25 oC. Meanwhile we take showers several times a day!