Koala trapped in a cave rescued following stormy weather
A wild koala, that was found debilitated and isolated in a cave following the extensive rainfall last week, has been rescued by wildlife carers and rehabilitated by veterinarians at Werribee Open Range Zoo.
The adult male koala was first seen early last week by a member of the public who was kayaking alongside a large cliff face on the Glenelg River, located on the border of Victoria and South Australia. Local wildlife carers were notified and kayaked to the cave to rescue the stranded koala. It was then promptly transported to Werribee Open Range Zoo for urgent medical treatment.
Werribee Open Range Zoo Senior Veterinarian Dr Natalie Rourke said it was possible the koala had slipped from a tree and fallen into the river during the storms, before being washed up into the cave with no accessible pathway out.
“The koala was quickly becoming weak from starvation because he had no access to his daily eucalyptus diet while trapped in the cave,” Dr Rourke said. “Koalas are not natural swimmers, so without intervention, it could have drowned attempting to exit the cave to find food.”
“It’s wonderful to be able to work with dedicated wildlife carers to rescue, rehabilitate and care for koalas and other precious wildlife."
When the koala arrived at Werribee Open Range Zoo, the vet team conducted an examination under anaesthetic which included X-rays, ultrasounds, and blood tests. Dr Rourke said the tests and scans indicated no broken bones or underlying injuries, but revealed a moderately malnourished, hungry koala with an empty stomach.
“It was evident from the ultrasound that he had not recently consumed any food,” Dr Rourke said. “So, we provided treatment in the form of oral rehydration therapy, pain-relief medication, and bountiful, fresh eucalyptus browse.”
The koala spent five days rehabilitating in Werribee Open Range Zoo’s RSPCA Koala Ward rehabilitation pens, where it was monitored by vets and provided with browse twice a day.
When the koala first arrived at the Zoo, it weighed 10.4 kilograms. However it has now bulked up to 11 kilograms and is energetic, healthy and has been released back into the wild.
Dr Rourke said the recovery of the koala would not have been possible without the efforts of the wildlife carers from Blessings of the Bush Koala Shelter and Rescue, and Werribee Open Range Zoo veterinarians working collaboratively.
“It’s wonderful to be able to work with dedicated wildlife carers to rescue, rehabilitate and care for koalas and other precious wildlife,” Dr Rourke said.
Earlier this week, the koala was released by the wildlife carer into safe and dry habitat, near where it was found.