Key Takeaways
- A young koala named Peri was found on a Brisbane bus after dodging traffic on a busy road in the city’s inner-east.
- The koala was rescued by Koala Rescue Brisbane South and taken to the RSPCA for a health check, where it was found to be healthy.
- The koala was released back into the wild on Sunday afternoon in Seven Hills Bushland Reserve.
- Koalas are under threat from urban development, chlamydia, vehicle strikes, and feral animal attacks.
- The rescue organisation recommends that people keep a safe distance from koalas and let trained professionals handle rescues.
Introduction to the Incident
A young, adventurous koala ended up catching a ride on a Brisbane bus after dodging traffic on a busy road in the city’s inner-east on Saturday night. The local council bus’s grab rails would normally be used for passengers’ safety, but that is where the tree-dwelling marsupial, named Peri, found refuge on the weekend. Koala Rescue Brisbane South’s Brianne Barkla said she was in disbelief when she heard the native animal was on a bus in Camp Hill. The CityGlider bus is a high-frequency service in Brisbane’s inner suburbs, and it is not every day that a koala is found on board.
The Rescue Effort
When Ms Barkla arrived at the scene, she said she was surprised to find the koala "was literally in the bus". She said the bus driver told her the koala had crossed the road and had almost been hit by a car, before climbing up a metal pole in the middle of a traffic island. Concerned that the koala could slip down the pole and be hit by ongoing traffic, the bus driver used a jacket to cover the koala’s head and placed it on the bus. Ms Barkla was then called to help. She said the koala had looked healthy, but as a precaution was taken to the RSPCA. The following day, they received the news that there was nothing wrong with the koala.
The Koala’s Release
The koala was released on Sunday afternoon in Seven Hills Bushland Reserve — the reserve closest to where it was located. Without paying 50 cents, Peri took refuge on the pole in the middle of the bus. Inspired by a line in the classic Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas, the animal rescue service named him Peri. Ms Barkla said Peri would have been classified as a "sub-adult", meaning more than 12 months old. "Young but old enough to be on its own," Ms Barkla said. The rescue organisation was thankful for the bus driver’s actions, which helped to keep the koala safe.
Koala Conservation
Ms Barkla said the rescue organisation did not get many calls from around Seven Hills Reserve. "There are koalas there, but [it’s] very few and far between that we will receive a call in that area," she said. Ms Barkla said it was a positive sign that koalas were at the reserve, but it was also a concern that they were wandering away. Koalas are under threat from urban creep and chlamydia, as well as vehicle strikes and feral animal attacks. She said koalas were still on the move as they are nearing the end of their breeding season. "So, you will see them out and about on the roads and [in] backyards," Ms Barkla said.
Dealing with Koalas
Ms Barkla said the emergency rescue service did not recommend anyone handling koalas. "They are quite delicate creatures, but they also can be quite ferocious … with their claws," Ms Barkla said. "We just recommend keeping your distance and just let us handle the rescue," she said. Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said he often described Brisbane as "the most Australian place on earth, and a koala on one of our buses just proves it". He urged residents to get in touch with animal rescue services if they come across a koala in trouble. The lord mayor praised the bus driver for going above and beyond to keep the koala out of harm’s way.
Conclusion
The story of Peri the koala is a heartwarming one, and it highlights the importance of conservation efforts and the need for people to be aware of the presence of koalas in their surroundings. The rescue organisation’s message is clear: if you come across a koala in trouble, do not try to handle it yourself, but instead call for professional help. By working together, we can help to protect these amazing creatures and ensure their survival for generations to come. The incident also showcases the kindness and quick thinking of the bus driver, who helped to keep the koala safe until help arrived. As the lord mayor said, "Every day our bus drivers do an incredible job keeping Brisbane moving, but this driver really did go above and beyond to keep this koala out of harm’s way".
