Drop bear? UK journalist Debi Edward pranked on Kangaroo Island with koala
A UK journo covering the Kangaroo Island fires has fallen victim to the Aussie sense of humour – donning full protective gear to hold a ‘drop bear’.
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There’s nothing quite like pulling a classic joke on non-Aussies about our favourite fictional native animal – the drop bear.
UK ITV News Asia correspondent Debi Edward was tricked into wearing full protective gear while reporting on how the recent Kangaroo Island bushfires had killed more than 25,000 koalas.
The video was shared by Sydney journalist Sean Mulcahy on his Facebook page, which has since garnered 47,000 views, and appeared on the Today show.
“In times of tragedy and incessant misery, sometimes humour is the best medicine,” he said.
In the almost three-minute-long video, the Scottish journalist was told “vicious” drop bears are “a close cousin of koalas”.
Edward donned a full-body protection gear, gloves, motorcycle boots and goggles before Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park’s co-owner Sam Mitchell handed a furry marsupial over.
“S***, s***, s*** I’m really not happy,” she told the camera while holding the animal, who gazed around curiously.
Mulcahy then responded, “I’m going to get the dartgun, don’t move.”
The prank was revealed shortly and Edward’s hilarious reaction captured on video.
Half of Kangaroo Island’s 50,000-strong koala population, which were South Australia’s only chlamydia-free species, were estimated to be lost in the Ravine bushfire.
KI Wildlife Park’s team, including Mr Mitchell, stayed to defend 800 injured animals on Friday as the inferno came close to Parndana.
More than $1.7 million has been donated to the park as its team continues to care for injured and hungry koalas.
Click here to donate directly to the park
