Koalas may become extinct in large areas of Eastern Australia as early as 2050 without intervention, warns Dr. Michael Pyne OAM, Senior Vet at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital.
To bolster the hospital’s efforts in combating this looming crisis, we’re proud to fund the development of a new Koala Rehabilitation Exercise Enclosure at Currumbin Eco Parkland. With its lush canopy of mature trees, this cutting-edge facility will offer a natural-like playground crucial for successful soft releases.
To highlight the urgency and impact of this initiative, we spoke with Dr. Pyne about the rising number of koala admissions and the pivotal role of this new enclosure in their recovery.
[Blossom the Koala. Image credit: Currumbin Wildlife Hospital]
The increasing demand for koala care
The growing number of koala admissions reflects a broader environmental crisis. Dr. Pyne explains, “Koalas are now endangered and at risk of local extinction, which means protecting every koala is important.” He adds, “Ideally, all koalas would have access to soft release areas, but currently, it’s a triage process, prioritising the most urgent cases.”
As the need for koala care escalates, the new Koala Rehabilitation Exercise Enclosure couldn’t come at a better time. This facility will be instrumental in providing koalas with a space to recover and adjust to wild conditions before their final release.
Koalas come into Currumbin Wildlife Hospital for various reasons, including disease, dog attacks, vehicle strikes, habitat destruction, and bushfires. Chlamydia remains the leading cause of death among koala patients. To combat this, Currumbin Wildlife Hospital is focused on reducing koala admissions through research and education. Dr Pyne said, “Over 350 koalas have now been vaccinated against chlamydia via the Koala Chlamydia Vaccine Research Program.”
The role of soft releases
Dr. Pyne says “Koala rehabilitation facilities are constantly improving with growing community support and awareness for endangered koalas.”
Currumbin Wildlife Hospital aims to release every patient back into the wild, with the new enclosure’s soft release approach designed to support this goal.
“This Koala Rehabilitation Exercise Enclosure will help our vet team assess patient recovery and climbing skills before their release back out into the wild. It allows Koalas to slowly adjust back into the wild after treatment while still being protected from threats in the wild. This area is extremely important, especially for long-term patients, to ensure a smooth transition back into the wild.”
The Hospital has also observed that orphans admitted here often struggle to adapt to the wild, but this new enclosure gives these little ones a better shot at a bright future.
“As these Koalas grow up, they need to learn the skills of the wild, and this is why soft release areas are vital,” he added.
[Dax the Koala. Image credit: Currumbin Wildlife Hospital]
Community and volunteer involvement
The journey of a koala patient starts with the dedication of community members or care organisations who spot and report sick, injured, or orphaned koalas. Once they arrive at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, each koala receives a thorough medical check-up. Treatment can be expensive – averaging $7,000 for chlamydia, which includes a 4-6 week course of antibiotics. Depending on their needs, koalas might be released right away, placed with a wildlife carer, or moved to a soft release area ahead of their big return to the wild.
Careful management marks the final step, where koalas are reintroduced to their original rescue site, ensuring they return to a familiar environment where they can thrive. Dr Pyne credits the hardworking team for managing this meticulous approach, explaining that “Currumbin Wildlife Hospital consists of a dedicated group of vets, vet nurses, and supportive volunteers. In addition, care organisations such as Wildcare Australia play a major role in rescuing and rehabilitating precious wildlife patients alongside the vet team.”
Set to be a game-changer, the new Koala Rehabilitation Exercise Enclosure will significantly enhance the hospital’s soft release facilities. This innovative space will provide koalas with an ideal setting to refine their climbing skills and transition smoothly back into the wild.
Extraordinary efforts by the community and volunteers are pivotal in the mission to save koalas. At Stockwells, we’re thrilled to support the vital work of Currumbin Wildlife Hospital. Our partnership highlights how collective action and a touch of passion can create a brighter future for these cherished Australian icons.