FULL LIST: Gold Coast’s wildest animal stories of 2020

For animal lovers the Gold Coast is a paradise - so it’s no wonder our furry friends made headlines. Here are our top stories of 2020.

FOR animal lovers the Gold Coast is a paradise, with a puppychino on offer at every cafe, an abundance of wildlife and leash free beaches. It is no wonder our furry friends made headlines this year. From the sad to the heartwarming, here are our top critter stories from 2020.

HAKU COMES HOME:

It was a missing dog story that made national headlines. Haku the cute and chubby pet corgi was returned to her owner Carmen Pham in September after allegedly being held by her pet-sitters who were previously family friends for months on end.

Renowned Gold Coast pet investigator Kirilly Cull helped police track down the loveable ball of fluff.

Haku the corgi has been returned home safe to owner Carmen Pham by pet theft investigator Kirilly Cull from Missing and Stolen Pets Australian Picture: Jerad Williams

TURTLE VISIT:

A giant and rare leatherback turtle became one of the Gold Coast’s most notable tourists in October this year after it washed up onto Mermaid Beach.

The 3 metre long animal which weighed 500kg that was believed to have been chasing jelly fish in our waters before it died.

The animal had to be moved by council with a small excavator.

SeaWorld conducted an autopsy into the death of the animal.

CURIOUS KOALA:

A nosy Koala gave the employees of Aqualuma LED lighting a surprise when it decided to wander into their Helensvale warehouse in mid-July.

Dubbed ‘Lummi’ the koala was spotted attempting to make its home in the shelving units.

Sadly workers soon found the animal was injured by what was believed to be dog bites, and was taken to the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital.

He was later released into the wild again in good health.

PRINCESS POOKIE DIES:

Almost as notable as her owner, Princess Pookie the furry companion of longtime Gold Coast councillor Dawn Crichlow died in late November.

The Maltese Shitzu was 16 years old when she passed.

At the time Ms Crichlow paid tribute to her beloved pet, describing the dog as a “miracle”.

“She was the most special dog in the whole world,” the former councillor said.

Gold Coast Councillor Dawn Crishlow with her dog Princess Pookie in Southport. Picture: Jerad Williams

SURFERS FALCON A HERO:

The king of Surfers Paradise a peregrine falcon that has been likened to Ironman was praised for its dedication to catching ‘vermin’.

After making its home at the 50 Caville Ave Tower for the last four years the bird has gained notoriety among locals for depositing the bodies of stray pigeons on the roof top.

Steve Gillard who heads up 50 Cavill owner GDI Property Group said The Falcon – as the bird has become known – is an efficient killing machine eliminating up to eight pigeons a day from the Surfers Paradise area.

Mr Gillard is so enamoured with The Falcon that the agents from CBRE made a peregrine falcon statue to keep in their boardroom for when he visits.

Surfers Paradise Falcon

WILD DOGS:

Chiff the alpaca made a lucky escape in June when he was found savaged by five wild dogs.

A growing problem in the Tallebudgera Valley residents in the area say the number of wild dog packs had grown in recent years resulting in vicious attacks.

Chiff luckily made a full recovery but residents are still worried about their safety.

Alpaca 'Chiff' who was attacked by wild dogs in mid 2020.

Alpaca 'Chiff' was attacked by wild dogs in mid 2020.

PYTHON MOVES IN:

It was the Christmas visitor no one wanted, a 3 metre python.

Tamborine Mountain resident Patricia Tew said she was shocked and delighted to find a friendly carpet python had settled in her window box among the flowers in mid December.

After letting it stay for a few days she moved on the critter to another part of her property to give her crushed flowers a bit of reprieve. Watch the video online.

A carpet python moved into a flower box in Mount Tamborine.

YOWIE WITNESS SPEAKS OUT:

Whether you believe in yowies or not, readers were interested in a bizarre encounter with the hairy beast that was revealed in July.

The former Gold Coast man Keiron Darcy said the 40-year-old encounter he had with a yowie occurred in the then outskirts of Palm Beach while on a bike ride with a friend. .

He says the beast was covered in deep red hair, had a flat-top head, little hair on its face and red eyes. His story follows dozens of similar alleged sightings reported in the Gold coast hinterland and Currumbin Valley area in recent years.

PUPPIES FOUND:

A Gold Coast family cried tears of joy after police and a local pet Detective Kirilly Cull reunited them with their missing puppies just days before Christmas.

Elanora woman Jeni Merry had been desperately searching for her four cavodoodle puppies Basil, Dill, Pickle and Nutmeg after they were taken during a break in.

Three days later they were returned following a police raid on an Arundle home.

A 43-year-old man was charged over the incident.