Brisbane wildlife: RSPCA gives Mansfield koala second chance at life
MOST koalas who come face-to-face with a dog come out second best. But Harrison the five-year-old koala from Mansfield has received a second chance at life after being found hiding in lantana in a southside park.
Southeast
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MOST koalas who come face-to-face with a dog come out second best.
But Harrison the five-year-old koala from Mansfield has received a second chance at life after being found hiding in lantana in a southside park.
The cuddly marsupial was plucked from harms way and taken to the vet for a check up on Sunday.
Exactly 24 hours later Harrison was released back into the bush by his rescuer RSPCA volunteer Angela Christodoulou.
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The Carina resident told the Southern Star she was hopeful Harrison would “make it” in the bush.
But she urged dog owners to keep their pets on a leash, especially near bushland.
She said she was disappointed dog owners let their pets off the leash in designated on-leash areas, something she witnessed first-hand moments before she released Harrison.
“It really annoys me because dogs go into the bush and mark their territory,” she said.
“It is very stressful for them (the koalas).”
Ms Christodoulou said she had rescued two koalas from this park in recent months and three in nearby streets.
“He (Harrison) is very stressed (from the whole situation),” she said.
“He is right up the top crying.
“Come night time he will come down and find somewhere else to (feed and sleep).”
The wildlife advocate told the Southern Star a parkgoer had phoned the RSPCA to report a koala was sitting low in lantana.
“We think he was chased by a dog,” she said.
“It took me three to four hours to get him down.
Ms Christodoulou, who has rescued 296 koalas, used a ‘halo’ to bring Harrison down the tree on Sunday before taking him to the vet for a check up.
He was released back into the bush on Monday afternoon at 4 o’clock.
Harrison the koala has been tagged and microchipped.
If you find a sick or injured animal phone the RSPCA’s emergency hotline 1300 ANIMAL.
Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee secretary Heather Barns told the Southern Star she was distressed about seeing the carnage caused by dogs being off their leashes.
“I want to make sure bushland (and wildlife) stays for kids and now my grandkids,” he said.
“People need to keep their dogs on their leads.”
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