The koala population has taken a massive hit in more recent time with around 80,000 remaining in Australia today.
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The Australian Koala Foundation estimates that 4000 koalas are killed each year by dogs and cars alone, while urban sprawl, loss of habitat, and more recently drought and bushfires have contributed to the demise of the precious marsupial.
Only last week we learned with much sadness Ellenborough Lewis, the koala which had captured hearts world-wide after he was plucked from the flames by a brave rescuer who took the shirt off her back to rescue the Aussie icon from a fire zone could not be saved and had to be euthanised
However, this is a good news story about two displaced koalas which were found in Tuncurry and Blueys Beach, rescued and now recovering at Koalas in Care, Taree.
The story gets better with serial offender, a male found clinging to a jetty pole on busy Point Road, Tuncurry, and hemmed in on all sides by water, earlier this week, released.
He's been rehomed, Koalas in Care, Taree president, Paul McLeod told the Great Lakes Advocate.
The big boy was described by Paul as a healthy adult male who had been tagged and been a visitor to Koalas in Care previously.
"He went back to (his) Chapmans Road home on Thursday."
Paul believed he had been displaced by the bushfires.
However, the feisty female, found wandering along a building fence at Palms Oasis Caravan Park, Blueys Beach was not so healthy.
"The girl has serious problems; but they're treatable."
She has granulated tissue around the eyes and will go under the surgeon's knife.
"Hopefully it will come out at the other end."
Suffering from chlamydia, with limited sight, she was probably experiencing significant pain, Sweet Pea Animal Hospital, Forster vet nurse, Sam Blake believed.
Sam was one of a group, including a crew from Evolve Electrical, who helped rescue the miserable marsupial.
"It was quite a challenge to catch this little one," Sam posted on Facebook
After being examined by vet, Robert McMahon both koalas were taken to Taree.
Paul believed the female's recovery could be for up to four months.
Koalas in Care is looking after 38 burn victims and an additional 25 with other injuries.
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The precious bundles were accompanied with donations from Provet (Krusse wound flush and examination gloves) and Dechra (oral Meloxicam).
"It was so good to see so many individuals and businesses come together to save these precious little critters," Sam posted.
Sam also thanked Dean, Sue, Danny and the Tuncurry Co-Op for locating the young male, contacting Sweet Pea and assisting in the male's capture and to Gary and Dan from Ingenia and Peter and co from Evolve for their assistance with the female.
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