INJURED KOALAS FLOOD NEW WILDLIFE HOSPITAL

News Source: Sunshine Coast Daily, page 3, Sunday 3rd October, 2004
By: Grant Edwards

A new Sunshine Coast facility for treating injured and sick wildlife has been inundated with patients – and it hasn’t even been officially opened yet.

The not-for-profit Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation Koala and Wildlife Hospital has treated more than 2000 animals since March despite construction work not being completed.

In recent weeks injured koalas have made up the bulk of the patients at the Beerwah facility, with 82 checked in during September alone.

Many are critically injured after being hit by cars while others are the victims of attacks by dogs and some are suffering from disease.

Of the 82 which reached the hospital last month, 54 were road casualties while 12 were victims of dog attack.

Hospital manager Gail Gipp said sadly, most motorists who hit koalas failed to stop and check on their welfare. She urged drivers to take care when driving in koala habitat areas, especially between dusk and dawn. Koalas are particularly active during their breeding season from October to March.

“It has certainly been an eye opener,” Gail said. “From the opening of the hospital I thought it would be built up. “Instead, we started at the bottom of a mountain and continued to climb.”

The hospital is manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Anyone wanting to report an injured animal can contact it on 1300 369 652.

Work on the facility are expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Click here to find out more about the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation