A koala is in recovery after being hit by a vehicle and left to die, with North West Local Land Services (NW LLS) and WIRES strongly urging drivers to stop and check if they know they have hit something.
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The call comes as the number of koalas hit in the Gunnedah area increases.
The female koala hit yesterday was rescued by another driver who spotted her and took her straight to the Gunnedah Saleyards Veterinary Clinic.
The koala had blood on its face where a vehicle had made impact, and was cleaned up by the staff who then contacted WIRES.
Gunnedah WIRES volunteer, Martine Moran, picked up the concussed koala and drove her to the Tamworth Veterinary Hospital where koala specialist Doctor Alison Neef carried out some tests.
At this stage, the koala is known to have a broken finger and minor fractures but more tests will need be carried next week when the swelling on her head has gone down. Mrs Moran said the koala would also be checked for chlamydia.
“I think she’ll probably be in care for a while,” she said.
“Potentially she can be released; it depends how her finger goes.”
Mrs Moran said there had been recent koala deaths on the Oxley Highway but many were preventable if the driver stopped to check on the animals and called WIRES.
“You very rarely ever see a dead koala,” Mrs Moran said.
“They can survive. It’s worth checking.”
Senior land services officer (projects) for NW LLS, Angela Baker, said three dead koalas had been spotted in the past few weeks on the side of Ghooli and Quia Roads.
“We are urging people to slow down and take precautions in areas where koalas are known to reside,” Ms Baker said.
“Koalas are most active early in the morning and late afternoons but they are also on the move at the moment as it is breeding season. With the weather heating up, they may also be out and about looking for water.
“Please call WIRES for advice on what to do as it could be a breeding female that has a joey in its pouch.”
If it’s not safe to stop and check a koala that has been hit, give WIRES a call on 1300 131 554.