‘Most wanted koala’: Ned Kelly nabbed by determined rescuers

NED Kelly the fugitive koala has evaded capture on the coast for over a month.

NED Kelly the fugitive koala has finally been nabbed by rescuers after evading capture for more than a month.

Coomera Conservation Group have been on the hunt for “Coomera’s most wanted koala” after spotting signs he was suffering from chlamydia.

A concerned resident reported the koala was sporting a stained bottom and red eyes, signs of the sexually transmitted infection.

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The hunt to capture Ned Kelly (or Fugi, short for fugitive) took about a month, said Coomera Conservation Group.

On Sunday, the group finally managed to catch the crafty marsupial dubbed Ned Kelly or “Fugi”, short for fugitive.

The group took to Facebook to celebrate Ned Kelly’s eventual capture.

“Despite ongoing monitoring and visits by rescuers he evaded capture over the course of the month, mainly by remaining out of reach of our tallest poles and nets and moving on to other areas between stake-outs (where rescuers hid for hours hoping he’d come lower),” the post read.

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“Each time he returned, Paul would notify Wildcare. About once a week he returned to the same area and the same too-tall tree.

“Attempts at rescue were not possible. Fugi kept us on our toes!”

The crafty koala Ned Kelly (or Fugi, short for fugitive) dodges rescuers.

On Sunday, the koala was found in a tree which was still too tall to set traps.

“Despite descending the tree several times Fugi wasn’t keen to be captured and was too clever for the trap box,” it read.

“We watched him throughout the night (rescuer stake-out) and throughout the next day.

“He would come a bit lower, change his mind and head back up again.”

Finally, the determined effort paid off when after almost 24 hours Ned Kelly was captured “trying to make a break for it”.

“Fugi, you made us work hard but in the end we got our koala.”

One of the traps set up in an attempt to capture the koala Ned Kelly (or Fugi, short for fugitive).

The group thanked community members who monitored Ned Kelly.

Injured or sick koalas or other wildlife can be reported to Wildcare Australia by phoning 07 5527 2444.