While many people were enjoying time with family and friends over the Christmas and New Year period, care for the 20 koalas at the Northern Rivers Koala Hospital continued without pause, thanks to the commitment of Friends of the Koala’s volunteers and staff.
Fresh leaf was cut daily, enclosures were cleaned and medications administered. Wildlife hotliners remained rostered on, volunteer rescuers stayed on call and veterinary staff were ready to respond whenever needed, ensuring koalas received continuous care during one of the busiest times of the year.
‘December is our busiest and most challenging period,’ said Superintendent Veterinarian Kate Thomas. ‘This year we reached capacity both in terms of koalas in care and available volunteers, while managing a high number of intensive cases that required significant time and resources.
‘Despite this, our team worked through Christmas and New Year to ensure every koala received appropriate care,’ she said.
After 40 years of koala conservation across the Northern Rivers, Friends of the Koala has admitted nearly 6,700 koalas into care and successfully returned more than 2,300 to the wild.
‘Our work extends far beyond hospital care,’ said President Rhonda James.
‘From habitat restoration and community education to research and advocacy, we work with partners across the region to support the long-term survival of koalas.’
Hospital expansion, volunteers needed
Five years ago, Friends of the Koala became the only licensed specialist koala hospital in the region. Stage 1 of the Northern Rivers Koala Hospital expansion is now well underway, with new clinical facilities constructed to lock up stage thanks largely to support from World Wildlife Fund Australia’s Regenerate Australia Program.
Friends of the Koala is now seeking $500,000 to complete the fit out of the expansion, which will increase treatment capacity, support faster recoveries and allow more sick and injured koalas to be safely returned to the wild.
Koala care doesn’t stop for weekends or holidays, which means additional volunteers are urgently needed now to assist with daily hospital care, recovery and rehabilitation.
Those able to volunteer or support the hospital expansion are encouraged to get involved and help ensure koala care continues when it is needed most.
To donate, please follow this link.
For more information on volunteering, please go here.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
