Due to the bushfires in New South Wales and over the Christmas period, our Term 1 Service Project was fundraising for the Port Stephens Koalas.
This not-for-profit organisation provides care to sick, injured and orphaned koalas to give them the best opportunity to be returned to the wild while supporting research and collaboration to preserve their habitat to ensure that future generations may continue to enjoy seeing wildlife in their natural setting.
Eila Eila is one of the koalas caught in the Mambo wetlands fire late in 2018. She has badly burned paws from climbing a burning tree. She has had extensive treatment for her burns and has responded well but will still be in care for a long time while she recovers. While Eila was in care it was discovered that she had a tiny joey on board. Her joey, Patu, has also been adopted.
Joanie When Joanie was brought in with a wounded eye, she had a joey in her pouch. She managed to care for him despite her condition and once he was old enough, Pablo was released back to the wild. Unfortunately, Joanie’s eyesight did not improve and she remains in permanent care with us. Patu Meet popular Patu, whose name is the local Aboriginal Wonnarua word for ‘water’. Patu’s mum is Eila who was rescued, along with Patu’s older brother, from the Mambo fires.. Despite the trauma of the fire, timing indicates that Patu was born some 35 days after Eila came into care!Jax Poor Jax came into care after being hit by a vehicle in Salamander Bay and left at the roadside with a broken leg. However, Jax is a very determined boy and after 10 weeks of intensive home care, was moved to one of our larger yards for further rehabilitation.
If you as a family would like to donate and adopt a Koala, please check out their Facebook page or go to www.portstephenskoalas.com.au