Port Macquarie: Koala drops in just before closing time to re-fuel at convenience store

It was just before closing time at a Port Macquarie store when this cuddly marsupial made a last-minute call in to refuel. See the adorable images of Koala ‘Orchid Callum’ in store.

An adorable koala has been captured courting the attention of onlookers inside a Port Macquarie convenience store.

Orchid Callum, as he is known, was out on a leisurely stroll along Shelly Beach Rd last Tuesday when he made a left-hand turn in to the Shelley Beach store, next to Asty’s Takeaway.

Store manager Alice Dhao was preparing to shut-up shop for the day when the cuddly marsupial strode in through the open doors and rummaged his way through the confectionery aisles, and onto a timber-framed brace.

Ms Dhao noticed Orchid Callum waltz in about 6pm, without fuss.

“Our doors are always open, and he just walked in and took a walk around the shop,” she said.

“He was climbing on top of the timber frame pretending it was like a tree.”

Orchid Callum inside the Shelley Beach Store. Pic supplied

The lost marsupial was picked up by a koala hospital representative in good health. Pic supplied

A customer in store called the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital to come and retrieve Orchid Callum, whom other than being a tad lost was, in a state of good health.

Like all koalas that are picked up and taken into the hospital’s care, he was given his Christian name after the street where he was first found — Orchid Ave.

Ms Dhao said it’s the first time she’s had a koala in store, but often has visits from them in the nearby gardens.

Port Macquarie Animal Hospital Clinical Director Cheyne Flanagan said koalas like Orchid Callum like to take the shortest routes from A to B.

“And if that meant going through someone’s shop, then they will. It’s also possible that there could have been a higher ranking animal giving that poor koala a bit of curry, and he was hiding in there.”

“We’ve literally had over the years thousands of stories, we need to write a book on it actually, of people sitting and watching tele on a summer’s night with their doors open and a koala just walks in the front door and goes out the back door.

“It goes on all the time, it’s so common.”

Orchid Callum inside the Shelley Beach Store. Pic supplied

She said while the images of the koala climbing the timber frame might look like it’s heading up a tree to forage on some gums, Orchid Callum certainly would have known that wasn’t the case.

“A koala can tell a situation that’s not normal,” she said.

“They sometimes get themselves in these positions and they just don’t know what to do.

“It’s just a hazard of a koala living in an urban environment. “

Crummer PJ was rescued from a Port power pole late last year in Port Macquarie

A quick check over and Orchid Callum was given the all clear and returned back to his habitat.

The koala breeding season which started in very late winter, is hitting full swing now that the weather is starting to warm up.

It’s a sign that people should start to take more care when, and if, they see koalas roaming in backyards near dogs, or out on the road.

“The peak season is around October to February, then the poor buggers have a reprieve for a while and then it starts again,” Ms Flanagan said.

“It’s quite a long period of time for the breeding season.

“We’re likely to see a lot of activity with the animal moving within their home range looking for mating activities.

“Unfortunately as I said earlier with Koalas going from A to B the shortest way possible, and if that means running the gauntlet across a four-way highway then so be it.

“The best thing for people that if they’re driving and they’re driving in areas where there is vegetation, they should scan along the side of the roads as they’re looking ahead.

“That way your peripheral vision is noticing if something moves and it gives you the opportunity to slow down.”