Friday, March 26, 2010

Koala Rescue

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 Koala Rescue
in the National Park








At the end of my walk 
early this morning
I came across
a wonderful couple
who had rescued an old
and ailing koala

 He had been noticed 
by walkers last night
at the foot of a tree
skinny and weary
too weak to climb

Unable to find him in the dark
they went searching 
early this morning
and tracked him down 
in the bushy undergrowth








I wondered whether
Grandfather koala
shown above,
as koalas tend to keep
to the same foraging corridors
and territory

He will be taken
to the wild life hospital 
and cared for








The lady told me
that there are fewer than ten koalas
in the whole 
Noosa National Park
and where it was once common
to have a sighting
they are now rare
Development and disease
have taken their toll
on the koala community








I think that we have been very lucky
to have had Speckled Butt
as a neighbour


even if only 
for a brief period.
I have not seen him since
the day I posted
of his slumbers


The lady was excited 
to hear of Speckled Butt
Every sighting is good news
when you have a population
dwindling throughout the state


People 
such as these volunteer workers
are so admirable.





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26 comments:

  1. Development does have a downside - always. People want to live near nature, not realizing (but how could they not?) that by doing so, nature becomes diminished.
    Are new trees planted for these koalas, or do they have to make do with whatever is left?

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  2. They are wonderful people, those who look after our injured wildlife. A friend and I were travelling through the bush up to another town just recently when we came across a koala walking down the middle of the road. We stopped, it ambled off, climbed a tree and sat in a fork, listening to us rattling on. We drove on but looked back and it was peering around the trunk after us! They're so gorgeous.

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  3. Hi Violet

    The problem is statewide Violet...the koala numbers are shrinking so quickly that the gov is trying to establish some aid.

    There are still many forested areas but the koala only likes particular eucalypts. In addition they have a disease like chlamydia which affects their eyes and urinary system.

    Our state, because of the enviable lifestyle, attracts many immigrants for afar and from interstate. A whole town moves here a year! This has meant considerable development and forced the koala away from the coast and its natural habitat.
    A woman at the gym was telling me today of the good work Steve Irwin's zoo (the deceased crocodile hunter)hospital is doing to save the koalas.

    Happy days

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  4. Hi Alaine
    I'm glad you saw the koala before it became another statistic. I have just been reading that road kill, dogs and bushfires are also responsible for their demise.

    They are lovable creatures.

    Happy days

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  5. How sad to hear that koalas are dwindling so. We are not kind enough or thoughtful enough to be able to live side by side. We tend to encroach and put others in danger of extinction.

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  6. Oh, Delwyn, that is such sad news. Is there no means to help the population flourish again?

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  7. Sometimes I wonder if the pervasive presence of depression in humans is not a collective unconscious guilt at what we have done to the planet and its precious inhabitants.

    The tender look on that woman's face as she cared for the Koala is touching.

    With such a dwindling population weren't you fortunate to see those two Koala's from the Butt family!

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  8. time to take a proactive stance to protect such an important natural, national resource. This goes on all over the world, alas, and sometimes the end is unavoidable. Glad you have these pics to share...only ever seen them in a zoo.

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  9. We all seem to have our wildlife concerns. Here personally, I'm aware of the fewer sightings of fox in the area. I so hope it increases.

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  10. What Bonnie said tracks closely to what I would say. I've noticed that what feels best to me are decisions that I believe to reduce my ecological footprint... and ease the guilt she's talking about. I find it very difficult to take pleasure in any activity that I know (even in the back of my mind) isn't good for the planet.

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  11. What a shame. It is so sad that we humans don't understand that by diminishing the life around us we diminish ourselves.

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  12. Hello Delywn

    I am glad to know the koalas are being taken care of by the volunteer workers. Did not know the population of koalas was going down--thanks for bringing this to your readers attention.

    Best
    Tracy :)

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  13. Awwww, so wonderful to see a beautiful creature like this one get the care and concern that he/she is getting. Less than 10? How sad! How very fortunate to have them as your neighbors :)

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  14. Oh, I hope somehow these situations can be turned around for our precious animals and species of other kinds everywhere...thank you as always for the beautiful pictures.

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  15. Hi Delwyn, I enjoyed these photos and news of your resident Koalas. I hope Speckled Butt is still roaming around your territory. I am in Breckenridge for several days - snowing here - my Family just returned from skiing.

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  16. Hi Barb

    thanks for calling by ans taking time off skiing. Are you feeling fit and enjoying the outdoor life again?

    happy days

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  17. Hi Roasaria
    I am hopeful that the koala will be protected and cared for...and numbers can increase...

    thanks for dropping in

    Happy days

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  18. Hi Izzy
    how nice to catch up with you.
    Since it has become apparent that the koala numbers are dropping there are efforts to prevent their further decline.
    Thanks for the visit.

    Happy days

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  19. Hi Bonnie

    that is a good hypothesis. Aren't we lucky to have the Butt family close by...I hope to see them again before too long...

    Happy days

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  20. Hi Tom

    I hope that the Queensland Government sees it this way...the Save the Koala fund is doing good work but the govt needs to take a role.

    Happy days

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  21. Hi Wanda

    It is sad to notice the decrease in wildlife where we live.
    Our foxes made a bit of a comeback...I hadn't seen them for years....and then they reappeared on the river bank.

    Happy days

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  22. Hi Dan

    you have spoken wise and thoughtful words...I hope that I am so careful...

    Happy days

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  23. Hi Ellen

    yes each loss is a loss to us too and unsettles the entire ecosystem


    happy days

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  24. Hi there Tracy

    I hope that you enjoyed meeting GreyButt and Speckled Butt...you can check their stories in previous posts if you like

    Happy days

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  25. Hi Vicky

    I was rather surprised at the low number as I have seen a few but as they stick to their feeding communities and I stick to my walks it is possible I am encountering the same ones.


    Happy days

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  26. Hi Jennifer
    It is nice to hear that people care...thank you for taking the time to call by

    happy days

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