Brisbane’s luckiest koala Alfred survives sixth brush with death

An adventurous koala, whose been hit by multiple cars and taken on vicious dogs, has escaped death for a sixth time. We take you inside the unhinged life of indestructible Alfred.

Alfred has survived at least six close calls. Picture: Queensland Koala Society

Alfred the koala has been dubbed Brisbane’s luckiest — or unluckiest — marsupial after bouncing back from his sixth life-threatening incident in only a few years.

The southside survivor has twice been hit by cars, narrowly avoided a mauling by a backyard dog, got stuck in a tree on a busy arterial road and was seen ambling on a footpath metres from heavy traffic.

A Queensland Koala Society spokeswoman said he had been admitted to the RSPCA’s hospital multiple times, pulling through on each occasion.

“A very small number of koalas taken there survive, so it’s remarkable Alfred has done that several times,’’ she said.

Save the Koalas and Wallabies of Whites Hill put together a timeline of Alfred’s known mishaps:

■ Rescued last week from Chatsworth Rd where he was in a tree on a blind corner during peak hour;

■ Rescued several weeks ago from a yard near Winstanley St after being menaced by a dog;

■ Hit by a car on Creek Rd in July this year;

■ Hit by a car on Creek Rd last year;

■ Risked death twice by walking along a footpath near traffic and then trying to descend a tree, 1m from passing cars.

Map of some of Alfred's close encounters with death. Image: Koala Protection Society

“Thanks to the member of the public who called for help and rescuer John and the team for rescuing him before he was hit again,’’ the Koala Society spokeswoman said about the footpath incidents.

“People talk about our ‘urban koalas’ like they choose to risk their lives playing chicken with cars and dogs.

“They aren’t ‘urban’ koalas, they’re ‘displaced’ koalas.

“They can have huge ranges, as indicated by where we know Alfred has been on the map.

“The less food trees that we have across our suburbs, the further all koalas have to travel for food and shelter.

Alfred. Picture: Koala Protection Society

“Alfred will no doubt pop up again somewhere and we just hope that he has luck on his side.’’

Koala rescuers asked residents to be aware of koalas crossing in known hot spots such as: Whites Hill, Toohey Forest, Mt Coot-tha Reserve, Daisy Hill Conservation Park, Brisbane Koala Bushlands (Burbank), GJ Walter Park (Cleveland), John Oxley Reserve (Murrumba Downs), Indigiscapes (Capalaba).

They urged dog owners to keep their pets on a lead when out walking and inside at night.

If people saw injured or obviously sick koalas, or ones which were in dangerous places, they should call Koala Rescue Queensland on 0423 618 740 or 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625).

Tips on what to do if a koala needs help

Originally published as Brisbane’s luckiest koala Alfred survives sixth brush with death