Male koala rescued from Ring Road, Townsville after rare sighting

A male koala was spotted in a precarious spot in Townsville, causing confusion and excitement for locals, with the sighting rare for the area.

A male koala who climbed onto a road sign caused confusion and excitement for locals, with the sighting rare for the Townsville area.

Many drivers stopped to check out the Aussie critter who was spotted on Ring Road near the Beck Drive exit in Townsville on Tuesday night.

Koala rescued from Townsville at JCU emergency vet.

Although there is a small population living in the region, koalas are mostly unseen and sightings are relatively rare.

A wildlife rescuer was called and the koala was taken to the JCU Vet.

They examined the animal and tests showed the animal was in good health.

The koala was then given to Department of Environment, Science and Innovation wildlife officers, and is set to be released into a suitable habitat in the region.

Koala rescued from Townsville at JCU emergency vet.

Senior Wildlife Officer Tony Frisby said Townsville was considered to be the northern extent of koala habitat in Queensland, with Magnetic Island home to the largest known colony of koalas in northern Australia.

“This is an exciting discovery as it is quite unusual for a koala to be seen in the wild in Townsville,” Mr Frisby said.

“It is also quite perplexing as the koala was found in an area considered to be unsuitable koala habitat, and we’re not sure where it came from.”

Koala rescued from Townsville at JCU emergency vet.

“There are koalas in the broader Townsville region, but people might walk right past without seeing them, because they’re up so high and so well camouflaged.

The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation is set to receive $31.1m over four years as part of the 2024/45 state budget. The funding is part of the Saving Queensland’s Koalas budget plan.

Locals are encouraged to download the free koala QWildlife app and report all koala sightings.

Anyone who sees a sick or injured koala, or a koala in an unusual spot, should report it using the QWildlife app, contact the RSPCA or a registered wildlife carer.

Originally published as Male koala rescued from Ring Road, Townsville after rare sighting