Koala Gets a Lift: Rescued Animal Rides Bus to Safety
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A koala named Peri hitched a ride on a bus in Brisbane after being rescued from a light pole. The marsupial was later released into the wild.
A heartwarming rescue unfolded in Brisbane, Australia, when a koala, now known as Peri, found an unusual mode of transportation to safety: a public bus. The incident occurred on a Saturday when a bus driver spotted Peri clinging to an outdoor light pole. Concerned that the koala might fall onto the road, the driver intervened.
Video footage shared by Koala Rescue Brisbane South shows the driver carefully bringing Peri onto the bus. The rescue organization was then contacted, and they took custody of the marsupial. After a check-up at a wildlife hospital, Peri was released into the Seven Hills Bushland Reserve on Monday.
Koala Rescue Brisbane South used the opportunity to remind the public about the potential dangers of handling wild koalas. Their social media post cautioned that untrained individuals should avoid touching koalas due to their sharp claws and potential to bite. Gripping them around the ribs can also cause serious damage.
"We don’t recommend handling koalas unless you’re trained...but if needs be, a bus will do!" the organization stated, suggesting that if it’s safe to contain an injured koala without touching it until help arrives, a dark space is ideal, recommending a laundry basket but acknowledging the bus in this unique situation.
Koalas, now listed as endangered in Eastern Australia since 2022, typically inhabit eucalyptus forests along Australia’s eastern coast, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). These animals consume up to 500 grams of leaves daily. Due to the low nutrient content of their diet, koalas spend a significant portion of their time resting, often sleeping up to 20 hours a day. The WWF notes that koalas face increasing threats, including deforestation, koala chlamydia disease, traffic incidents, and attacks by dogs.
