What to Do If You See a Koala in Danger: Your Emergency Response Guide

Immediate Action: Call 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625)

If you encounter a koala in distress, your first and most important action is to call the koala ambulance immediately. In Queensland, call 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625) to report sick, injured, orphaned or dead koalas. This 24-hour emergency service connects you with trained wildlife experts who can provide immediate advice and dispatch rescue teams when necessary.

How to Identify a Koala in Danger

Not every koala you see needs human intervention. Koalas naturally spend 18-22 hours per day sleeping and may appear inactive when they're actually healthy. However, certain signs indicate a koala requires immediate help:

Clear Signs of Distress

Immediate Emergency Situations:

• Koala hit by a vehicle or showing obvious injuries

• Koala sitting at the base of a tree for extended periods (more than 24 hours)

• Koala on the ground during daylight hours, especially appearing weak or disoriented

• Koala in immediate danger from dogs, cats, or traffic

• Koala with visible wounds, bleeding, or limping

• Mother koala found deceased - check pouch for surviving joey

Behavioral Warning Signs:

• Koala making unusual crying or distress sounds

• Koala attempting to climb but unable to do so

• Koala showing signs of conjunctivitis (weeping, crusty eyes)

• Koala appearing thin or malnourished

• Koala exhibiting abnormal behavior like aggression or extreme lethargy

What NOT to Do: Critical Safety Guidelines

Never Approach or Touch a Koala Directly

Koalas have powerful claws and can inflict serious injuries when frightened or in pain. Even injured koalas can be dangerous to untrained handlers. Never interfere with a koala unless it is in clear distress and in need of human assistance.

Do Not Give Food or Water

Well-meaning people often try to feed koalas, but this can be fatal. Koalas have specialized digestive systems designed only for eucalyptus leaves. Water can cause pneumonia if administered incorrectly.

Avoid Loud Noises or Sudden Movements

Stressed koalas can injure themselves further if startled. Maintain a safe distance and speak quietly when calling for help.

Step-by-Step Emergency Response Protocol

Step 1: Ensure Your Safety First

• Pull over safely if you're driving

• Turn on hazard lights if the koala is near a road

• Keep dogs and cats away from the area

• Maintain at least 10 meters distance from the koala

Step 2: Call for Professional Help

• Queensland: 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625)

• Alternative: Koala Rescue Queensland - 24-hour rescue service

• Provide your exact location (use GPS coordinates if possible)

• Describe the koala's condition and immediate surroundings

• Follow any specific instructions given by the operator

Step 3: Monitor While Waiting for Help

• Observe the koala over a period of time to provide updates to rescuers

• Take photos if safe to do so - these help assess the situation

• Keep the area clear of people and pets

• If the koala moves, note the direction and update rescuers

Step 4: Assist Rescuers When They Arrive

• Guide rescue teams to the exact location

• Provide any additional information about the koala's behavior

• Keep bystanders at a safe distance

• Follow any additional instructions from wildlife carers

Special Situations and Considerations

Koala on the Road

• Your safety is paramount - never put yourself in danger of traffic

• Turn on hazard lights and pull over safely

• If the koala is blocking traffic, call emergency services (000) as well as wildlife rescue

• Do not attempt to move the koala yourself

Mother Koala with Joey

• If you find an injured koala, check the pouch - joeys can survive in the mother's pouch for several days following her death

• Report both mother and joey to rescue services

• Never attempt to remove a joey from its mother

Koala in Your Backyard

• If the koala appears healthy and is just resting, leave it alone

• Remove any immediate threats (bring pets indoors)

• If the koala remains in the same spot for more than 24 hours, call for assessment

• Ensure swimming pools are covered or provide escape routes

Regional Emergency Contacts

Queensland Statewide

• Primary: 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625)

• Koala Rescue Queensland: 24-hour rescue service for sick, injured and orphaned koalas throughout Queensland

South East Queensland Specific

• RSPCA Wildlife Hospital: Available through 1300 ANIMAL

• Currumbin Wildlife Hospital: Available through 1300 ANIMAL

• Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital: Available through 1300 ANIMAL

New South Wales

• Port Macquarie Koala Hospital: Rescue Line: 6584 1522

• WIRES: 1300 094 737

Prevention: Creating Koala-Safe Environments

While rescuing koalas in immediate danger is crucial, preventing dangerous situations is equally important:

For Drivers:

• Reduce speed in known koala areas, especially at dawn and dusk

• Watch for koala crossing signs and take them seriously

• If you see a koala near the road, slow down and be prepared to stop

For Property Owners:

• Secure dogs and cats, especially at night

• Install koala-proof fencing around pools

• Plant native trees to provide safe corridor connections

• Remove barbed wire fencing that can injure koalas

For Communities:

• Report koala sightings using the QWildlife app

• Support local koala conservation groups

• Advocate for koala-friendly urban planning

When Professional Help Isn't Immediately Available

In remote areas where professional wildlife rescue may be hours away, having contact details of your local carer, vet or wildlife authority prepared in advance gives the animal a better chance of survival. However, never attempt rescue without expert guidance.

If you must wait for professional help:

• Create a quiet, safe environment around the koala

• Provide shade if the koala is in direct sunlight

• Keep detailed records of the koala's condition for rescuers

• Take photos to document the situation

The Importance of Reporting

Every koala sighting, whether the animal appears healthy or in distress, contributes valuable data to conservation efforts. Report koala sightings using the QWildlife app to help researchers track population movements and habitat use.

Remember: Successful koala conservation relies on a collaborative approach across all sectors, and for communities to play a role in protecting local koalas. Your quick action and proper response can mean the difference between life and death for these endangered marsupials.

Key Takeaways

• Always call 1300 ANIMAL first - they provide expert guidance for every situation

• Never approach or touch a koala - even injured koalas can be dangerous

• Your safety comes first - never put yourself in danger to help wildlife

• Observe and report - detailed information helps rescuers provide better care

• Every call matters - professional assessment is always better than guessing

When you encounter a koala in danger, remember that your role is to be the link between the animal and professional help. By following these guidelines, you become part of the solution in protecting Queensland's precious koala populations for future generations.

This guide is based on current wildlife rescue protocols and expert recommendations. Always follow the specific instructions provided by professional wildlife rescue services, as each situation may require different approaches.