RSPCA turned away severely injured koala because it was ‘too busy’

The RSPCA is under fire after one of its hospitals refused to treat a severely injured koala. WARNING: Graphic images

RSPCA Queensland is under fire from wildlife rescuers after turning away a badly injured koala from its animal hospital at Wacol because it was too busy.

The koala was mauled by a dog in the Scenic Rim on Thursday but the RSPCA’s Brisbane Wildlife Hospital refused to take it, diverting the animal to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast.

Wildlife Rescue Sunshine Coast, which has been campaigning for an inquiry into the RSPCA after a series of controversies, slammed the decision.

“Wacol didn’t even offer to stabilise the injured animal before it embarked on a 2.5hr journey to Currumbin Wildlife Hospital …,” the rescue organisation said on its Facebook page.

“The koala had been attacked by a dog and was in urgent need of veterinary help. At the very least, Wacol could have given it powerful pain relief and sedation, and if necessary put it on a drip, so the rescuer could have then transported it to Currumbin in a more comfortable condition.”

An RSPCA Queensland spokeswoman said the Brisbane Wildlife Hospital has been treating 22 koalas this week, seven more than its vet team and facilities could properly care for, along with 130 other animals.

She said the facility was part of a network of southeast Queensland wildlife hospitals and had advised its partners that it needed to divert injured koalas for 48 hours due to the case load.

“When we are over capacity and our ability to care for new patients is impacted, we rely on the other members in the SEQ Koala Network to take that patient on board,” she said.

“This was the case this week when a koala that had been attacked by a dog was diverted at the point of rescue directly to our partners as Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, this would ensure the animal would receive treatment in the quickest time frame.”

The spokeswoman said RSPCA Queensland treated the most wildlife of any facility in the southeast, with 24,000 native animals admitted in the last 12 months compared to 8359 a decade ago.

“The increase in veterinary treatment and care is an ongoing challenge and highlights the urgent need for a new purpose-built facility with capacity that can improve wildlife care in South East Queensland and relieve pressure on each hospital within the SEQ network,” she said.

“RSPCA Queensland’s plans to build a new wildlife hospital address these critical capacity issues and the growing challenges facing our native animals every day.

“It is also a timely reminder for all residents in Queensland to keep an eye out for koalas in need of help and call our Animal Emergency Hotline 1300 ANIMAL or your local wildlife carer for assistance.

“Pet owners also need to be aware of how they can help actively prevent attacks on wildlife by keeping dogs on lead and securing pets on your property especially in known koala habitat areas. The same goes for drivers to be extra cautious when on the road as koalas are on the move.”

RSPCA Queensland has been rocked by recent controversies including an independent whistleblower investigation and outcry over hefty executive bonuses.

The organisation is also defending unfair dismissal claims by two former executives who have alleged in court that they were sacked after blowing the whistle on “mal administration, misconduct and corruption”.

The case is set down for a hearing in the Federal Circuit Court next month.