Treating patients @Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital

Clinging to a plush toy in the absence of his mum, Shayne the koala joey is just one of the many innocent victims of this year’s Trauma Season; the busiest, most confronting time of year at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital.

Shayne and his mum were on the move when they were hit by a car in a 70km per hour speed zone. Tragically, his mum was killed instantly, but observant rescuers were able to locate young Shayne just 20 metres away. At only 9 months old, Shayne was riding on his mum’s back at the time of the accident and was thrown off from the impact. Being chased by crows, Shayne wouldn’t have lasted long on his own out in the wild and was brought to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital for assessment.

Thankfully, after a thorough examination and x-rays, Dr Rosie confirmed that Shayne had no injuries as a result of the accident; instead, he was dealing with the loss of his mum and the vital life lessons he now needs to learn in order to become an independent, wild koala.

Thanks to the team at the Wildlife Hospital and his specialised wildlife carer, Shayne is in good health two months on; he has been putting on weight, growing with everyday and is well on his way to returning to his home in the wild.

Sadly as temperatures rise, so too do patient admissions for injuries caused by trauma. The warmer months of the year (namely August to February) see breeding wildlife on the move, making them more vulnerable to injury during the booming holiday season. The team at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital work very hard to give each and every animal that passes through the doors the expert care they need for a second chance at life. Having treated over 66,000 native Australian animals, the Wildlife Hospital will continue to treat patients no matter the cost because our belief will always be that by saving one animal, we can save the species.