Rescuers issue plea for help after sad find on tree stump
It’s a devastating image of some of the nation’s icons, and Australians are being asked to do this one thing to save them before it’s too late.
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Rescuers have issued a desperate plea for help from Australians after a heartbreaking situation involving our national icons was caught on camera.
The sad images show two koalas stranded on a tree stump for “at least three days” at a property located between Warrnambool and Koroit, South West Victoria.
The “extremely old” Cyprus tree that once stood there had been cut three months ago for safety reasons following severe storms.
The mother and baby koalas were spotted on the tree stump on November 3 and the property owner attempted to help them down by placing a ladder and planks of wood there to make it easier for them to leave.
However, they remained on the tree stump until they were rescued by Mosswood Wildlife on November 6, and were found to be severely dehydrated.
“After being brought to Mosswood, our volunteer vet sedated them to give them much-needed fluids after such bad dehydration from being on a stump without food and in the warm weather,” a Mosswood rescuer told news.com.au.
“He couldn’t find any injuries or illness to indicate why they wouldn’t of just moved on. They had several days at Mosswood getting fresh leaf and a safe place to gain their strength back before being released yesterday afternoon.”
As they lose their homes due to deforestation for agricultural and urban developments, koalas have been listed as endangered in Qld, NSW and the ACT. Sadly, they have been forced out as large backyards that once contained trees are bulldozed.
Mosswood Wildlife rescuers hope to turn the situation around, issuing an urgent plea for Australians to take action to help our koalas.
“It’s a reminder that with all the housing development booming in our area (Warrnambool) we are taking away the trees and safe passage for many different native animals.
“It will take years for trees to become substantial, so we really need to be getting trees planted now to make wildlife corridors and providing food for wildlife like koalas before the habitat destruction we are doing become irreparable.
“Mosswood Wildlife Sanctuary is trying to encourage the local councils and communities to not just plant a tree but plant them with purpose, in places that allow plantations and natural trees areas to connect so that we have less displaced and less dying on roads but giving them back a bit of their natural environment in the form of these tree corridors to be able to move around safely.”
Rescuers also cautioned that before cutting down any trees, it’s important to consider how wildlife would be impacted as koalas spend time in different types of trees, not just in eucalyptus trees.
“Although not eucalyptus it is correct that often koalas spend large amounts of time in other trees,” the rescuers said of the Cyprus tree in the photographs.
“Cyprus trees in particular often are the resting spot for koalas as they provide a lot of shade, shelter, spots to hide and a lot of safety. Not that it happened here but before chopping down any tree species check for not just koalas but possums, birds and any wildlife before cutting and removing their home.”
Rescuers also noted that Australians should consider “all aspects” when planting wildlife corridors, noting that a “big old Cyprus can be home to many kinds of wildlife and great safety spots for our koalas to have available”.
They warned that without taking steps to help koalas, the marsupials could end up endangered like in other states of Australia.
“In South West Victoria we are fortunate enough for our koalas not to be considered endangered yet but if we keep mindlessly destroying habitat and not replanting in appropriate spots and supporting these animals chance to flourish then we might end up with them endangered like other parts of Australia.”
Luckily, the rescued koalas are doing well, with Mosswood Wildlife sharing an image of the duo a few days after being released and praising the mother’s strength.
“9.5kg mum, 3kg baby,” the rescuers said.
“This big bub does spend majority of her time not on mum’s poor back but does when moving location as to not loose each other. They will continue for a while yet to still stay together, close by on the same branch or in the same tree until she is ready to go off completely on her own.”
On social media, many expressed their dismay at the sight of the koalas stuck on the tree.
“From the look of the photos it doesn’t seem like they had many other options for refuge and food, a barren field devoid of trees and this huge beautiful old tree (probably their home) destroyed,” one commenter said. “This is the plight of so many of our precious native animals, refugees in their native habitat.”
While another said: “Plenty of land to plant habitat trees. So sad that such a large old tree has gone. Where is home now.
“A disaster of huge proportions that these koalas are not protected along with their habitat. Step up property owners and plant out habitat and corridors for our wildlife. Get together with everyone in your area.”
Others expressed their sadness at the situation, writing; “that is so sad”, “heartbreaking to see” and “poor mum”.
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