A male koala found wandering the streets of Campbelltown and brought into care by native animal rescue organisation WIRES, will soon be returned to his home range. WIRES is calling on members of the public to join the organisation and learn to be carers of wildlife.

The five-kilo, sub-adult, male koala was spotted by a member of the public wandering around a cul-de-sac and followed it until it climbed a privet tree. An experienced WIRES koala carer, Cate Ryan, rescued the animal hoping to release it to a more appropriate environment.

“The koala came into my care Thursday drenched from the rain. Preliminary investigations into his health revealed he shows no signs of illness or injury and he is very well padded with a full layer of fat on his backside,” says Cate Ryan, WIRES volunteer.

“He will be observed for 24 hours and if his fitness is confirmed, he will be released back into the bush close to where he was found.

“He is able to climb, and is feeding well and he has the beginning of a scent patch on his chest, indicating he is marking his pheromones everywhere.

“I’ve been with WIRES for almost nine-years and caring for koalas for six of those and am pretty confident this koala will be back home by the weekend,” says Cate Ryan.

The demands on WIRES to help animals like the koala pictured here are increasing every year. WIRES is in need of rescue volunteers who can dedicate the time to caring for our wildlife. Anyone interested should sign up for the two-day initial training course, many of which are being held around the state in the coming months.

"Once a person has completed the initial Rescue and Immediate Care Course, they can choose to train in a number of specialist courses and become specialist carers for animals like koalas, kangaroos, bats, birds and snakes," says Cate Ryan.

To find out more about a training course near you, go to the Training page at the WIRES website www.wires.org.au

Media Contact: WIRES (02) 8977 3327
Media Email: media@wires.org.au