In the Media 2006

Sadness over koala
17 February 2006
Northern Times
By Elise Martin

WILDLIFE carers were left heartbroken this week after the discovery of a decapitated koala in Bellmere.

The discovery sparked concern after two other animals were found elsewhere in the shire in a similar state.

Caboolture Koala Care and Rescue member Kelly Ray, who retrieved the koala on Tuesday, said a post mortem showed the koala had first been attacked by a dog.

“But because the body was a couple of days old at that stage, it is hard to tell whether he was decapitated before or after he died,” Mrs Ray said.

“We worry that someone might have taken things into their own hands.”

Mrs Ray believes a machete may have been used on the koala, which was about two years old and otherwise healthy.

Just two weeks before, Mrs Ray had a decapitated cat and guinea pig thrown into her backyard in Tullawong.

“It makes me so angry that people have no common decency and respect,” she said.

“I wish people could come forward and not take things into their own hands – it only takes two minutes to make a phone call for assistance or advice.

“I think people fear the repercussions or think they will get into trouble, but they need to have more confidence to say ‘this has happened, what can I do to help?'”

Australian Wildlife Hospital manager Gail Gipp said the inhumane treatment of animals was not a new trend at Caboolture.

“There were reports of a koala last year that was used as a football on a building site and he died as a result of his injuries,” she said.

“There have also been kangaroos – mothers with joeys – shot with hunting arrows and there's been an instance reported where a car swerved to the other side of the road to deliberately hit a mother and joey koala, and kept going.”

Ms Gipp urged residents to always seek the appropriate help with all wildlife accidents.

Phone the Australian Wildlife Hospital on 1300 369 652.