Orphaned koala spotted carrying her own joey

An orphaned koala who spent months in care after being rescued as a joey in Australia is now a mum to her own joey. 

The success story comes after IFAW-supported vets at the Friends of the Koala’s Northern Rivers Koala Hospital in New South Wales spent months caring for Kookie, who was rescued when her mum was fatally hit by a car in September 2022. 

Although Kookie was protected by her mum’s pouch, she still suffered from internal bleeding but recovered well under the care of the expert vet team and volunteers and in March 2023 she was released back into the wild. 

Now she has been spotted carrying a joey. 

“Every koala that’s released back into the wild gives us hope for the future of the species,” IFAW Wildlife Campaign Manager Josey Sharrad said. 

“To see Kookie carrying a joey, less than two years after losing her own mum, is incredibly exciting given koalas in NSW are endangered and at risk of being extinct by 2050.” 

Friends of the Koala has seen a significant increase in the number of koalas being injured and killed as a result of car strikes. As humans continue to encroach on koala habitat, koalas have nowhere to go, forcing them onto roads where they are at risk of collisions with cars. 

“In the last year we have seen a 15% increase in the amount of koalas injured or killed as a result of car strike. Between May 2023 and May 2024 we received reports of 71 koalas who were hit by vehicles, of which only 13 were able to be rehabilitated and released back to the wild. Unfortunately, 80% of koalas hit by vehicles last year did not survive the impact,” Veterinary Clinical and Research Director, Dr Jodie Wakeman said 

With school holidays over the next few weeks in many parts of Australia coinciding with increased koala activity during their breeding season, drivers are being urged to slow down and be especially aware in koala zones.  

People are also encouraged to download the IFAW Wildlife Rescue App which puts people directly in touch with the nearest wildlife rescue group to report an injured animal. The user will then be guided on the best way to help support the injured animal, saving lives. The app aims to reduce stress and confusion by giving users all the information they need at their fingertips – empowering them to save lives. 

ENDS 

Press Contact:

IFAW Australia 
Jen Walker 
m: 0460 432 901  
e: jwalker@ifaw.org