Campbelltown police use fast side steps to catch lovestruck koala in Airds

Koala mating season has not gone well so far for this individual who took on a busy local road and ended up in police custody. If you’ve never heard a koala mating call - read on!

The injured koala was caught and placed in the back of the police truck before being taken to the vet. Picture: Campbelltown police Facebook

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CAMPBELLTOWN police used some fast side steps when they had to chase and catch an injured koala which they feared had been run over in Airds.

It’s koala breeding season and the marsupials are crossing roads and roaming around bushland in the Macarthur region in search of a mate.

One of the bright electronic signs to warn drivers about roaming koalas. This sign is in Ruse.

Officers found the koala when they were called to a car in the middle of Georges River Rd on Sunday, September 3, at 7.50pm.

Fearing the koala had been hit by a car, the officers tried to round up the marsupial but the task was not so easy.

On the Campbelltown police Facebook page, Campbelltown Commander Wayne Benson said it’s not that easy catching a koala that doesn’t want to be caught.

“In the end we got our “man” after some tricky moves which included a cardboard box and some fast side steps from the officers,’’ he said on Facebook.

“They were able to get him into the rear of the police truck.’’

Next stop was the vet, and police are happy to report our furry friend will make a full recovery and be released back to his habitat shortly.

“We protect everything,’’ Commander Benson told the Macarthur Chronicle.

Koalas are on the move in the Campbelltown region during their annual breeding season, which runs from August to March.

Noticeboards have been placed in the area warning drivers to slow down and keep a look out for koalas crossing roads.