A popular male koala, known as ‘Carly’, who could often be seen sitting in a tree near the entrance to the Noosa Heads National Park, sadly fell from a tree and passed away last week.
A necropsy aged Carly at 5 years and identified that he suffered from a thickening of the bladder wall and severe cystitis due to chlamydia. The illness is most likely what caused him to fall from his perch.
In a cruel twist, Queensland Koala Crusader, Bernard Jean was on his way to rescue the emaciated koala when he received a phone call from a park ranger to say Carly had fallen and died.
Carly is the second Noosa National Park koala to be diagnosed with chlamydia in a matter of weeks. On New Years Eve, a 4-year-old female koala known as Aggie, was rescued in the carpark at Noosa National Park due to her sudden weight loss and stained bottom. Aggie is currently in care at RSPCA Wacol undergoing treatment for chlamydia and it is hoped that her early rescue by Queensland Koala Crusaders (QKC) will facilitate a prompt return to the park.
Noosa National Park has always been a safe haven for koalas. Visitors from around the world, as well as locals, visit the park to try to spot one in the wild.
“You should see the delight on the faces of our visitors when I point out one of our koalas perched high in the trees. Their faces just light up with excitement. It is so disturbing that we keep seeing them unwell and our hope is that we can turn the tide and see them recovering and thriving with early rescue” Bernard Jean said.
QKC President, Meghan Halverson said the group didn’t want to lose anymore and are advising anyone who sees a koala in a tree for more than 24 hours with very little movement to report it promptly. “Early detection and treatment is no guarantee but at least we know that they will be given pain medication and fresh leaf daily with the best chance of recovery when in care,” she said.
QKC will soon hold a free community workshop about the regional koala population and how it can be protected.
Visit www.koalacrusaders.org.au
