Many locals and kids from Byron Bay and Suffolk Park were devastated at the news that Moji, the koala they had all been watching and caring for over the past several months, was found dead on the road this morning.
‘The person who hit Moji didn’t stop to see if he was ok, two young girls kindly moved him off the road and called WIRES,’ said Mark from WIRES.
Moji had taken up residence in trees at the golf club but the scattered feed trees meant he and other koalas have to cross the road to ensure they can get enough to eat.
‘Many locals and kids who used to stop on their bikes and watch him,’ Deb Pearce from the Byron Youth Service (BYS) told The Echo.
‘This morning we received a call about a deceased koala opposite Crystalbrook,’ explained Mark. ‘I quickly rushed over to discover it was Moji. He had been hanging around the golf course for the last couple of months, hadn’t seen him for a while and today he obviously tried to return.
‘I’m absolutely gutted, me and Melissa, a fellow wildlife rescuer, have put many hours trying to keep him and a couple other koalas safe in the area. Bangalow Koalas kindly kept their VMS signs up all this time to warn drivers to slow down. Thanks to the drivers who drove with care and those who weren’t hopefully you can see what it means to those who do care and drive with more caution.’
Moji has been laid to rest near his favourite tree at the golf course (permission was granted) ‘Hopefully no other koalas join Moji in this area. RIP Moji,’ said Mark.
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