Koala wanders into Gold Coast woman’s home after she falls sick

A Gold Coast woman was thrilled when an unexpected house guest turned up at her home. But that quickly changed when she spotted something unusual.

A Gold Coast woman was thrilled when an unexpected house guest turned up at her home. But that soon changed.

The gorgeous female koala ended up in Belinda Harvie’s home, who lives at Tallebudgera Valley.

She said she had walked into the house to find the koala sitting in her kitchen, but quickly realised something wasn’t quite right.

The koala, nicknamed Gruff, had a sore eye.

A koala, nicknamed Gruff, found herself in a Gold Coast woman's home today. Picture: Belinda Harvie

BEHIND THE SCENES AT CURRUMBIN WILDLIFE HOSPITAL

“We contacted Wildcare as she appeared to have a sore eye,” Ms Harvie said.

“They asked that we keep her safe until they arrived so she wandered around our home happily for about 30 minutes until they arrived.”

The Wildcare volunteers quickly brought the koala to Currumbin Wildlife Hospital to be looked at.

Gruff was soon taken to CWH. Picture: Belinda Harvie

COAST KOALAS COULD SOON BE EXTINCT

“We were given a contact number and ID to check on her welfare,” she said.

“When I contacted Currumbin (Wildlife Hospital) this afternoon I was advised that she was suffering with large ovarian cysts and was in pain, as well as chlamydia, and sadly was put to sleep.”

Despite her diagnosis, Ms Harvie said Gruff did not appear too distressed.

It’s not the first time koalas have come into close contact with humans when they became sick.

Gruff stayed in the house until Wildcare picked her up. Picture: Belinda Harvie

Unfortunately she was sick and had to be euthanised. Picture: Belinda Harvie

REVOLUTIONARY TECHNOLOGY HELPING TO SAVE KOALAS

Recently, bushwalkers came across a sick koala sitting in the middle of Coomera bushland. The koala didn’t make it.

Chlamydia is also one of the biggest killers of koalas on the Gold Coast. The wildlife hospital treats about 500 sick or injured koalas every year.

About 80 per cent come in with the disease, which has wreaked havoc on local populations.

Ms Harvie said they often heard cars doing burnouts along Tallebudgera Connection Road and were concerned about the impact on koalas.

In 2017, at least 10 koalas had been killed across the city after being hit by cars.

If you find an injured or dead koala on the Gold Coast phone Wildcare Australia Inc on 5527 2444.