The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital is gearing up for an early start to Trauma Season, treating an influx of koalas for lifesaving treatment, including sweet Clancy-Joe.
Trauma Season spans from September to February each year when wildlife is increasingly on the move searching for food, water, shelter, or a friend.
It is the busiest and most confronting time for the Wildlife Hospital as patient admissions triple, with animals vulnerable to road accidents and domestic pet attacks.
Clancy-Joe was hit by a car and suffered multiple fractures to his left leg, wounds to his face, a damaged ear canal, and abdominal bleeding. Thanks to the North Coast Veterinary Specialists, a crucial specialist surgery was performed to repair the injuries to the patient’s leg, by placing two plates and a wire to help stabilise the bones.
Dr Ludo Valenza, veterinarian and supervisor at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital said, “Clancy will be on strict rest for the next six weeks to allow his bones to heal. It will be a long journey, but he is in the best hands under our expert team’s incredible care.”
“Trauma Season for koalas is well on its way due to higher environmental pressures, with 35 koalas admitted in the last month alone,” Dr Valenza said.
“Koalas are already on the move and dispersing to new habitats, in search of mates and food. With increased population growth and the rising number of houses and infrastructure, koala habitat is being cleared at an alarming rate, leaving our national icons under severe threat,” she said.
The Wildlife Hospital treats all native wildlife but specialises in koalas, having treated these iconic animals from all over the country.
Koalas require specialised treatment, fresh eucalyptus branches every single day, and can cost tens of thousands of dollars throughout their care.
The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and has treated more than 10,000 koalas since opening its doors.
