In the Media 2005
Steve can grin and bear it
Miracle koala defies odds to return to the wild
News source: Sunshine Coast Sunday, September 18 2005, page 8 By Amy Remeikis
IT was touch and go there for a while, but Australia Zoo and hospital staff are breathing a sigh of relief with news “Steve” has made a full recovery and is ready to go back to the wild.
For his part, Steve is excited about looking for a nice tree to call home.
But don’t worry, the Crocodile Hunter is fine and now, after almost 18 months of treatment at the Australian Wildlife Hospital, so is “Steve the miracle koala”.
Steve was one of the first patients to be treated at the hospital after being brought in by Steve the bus driver, who found him lying on the side of the road.
Senior vet Jon Hanger said the two-year-old koala was a pretty sorry sight.
“He was in a critical condition and had a head like a football, which we found out was because he had multiple facial and jaw fractures,” he said.
“He also had pelvic and leg fractures and internal haemorrhaging and was in a very bad way – much like you’d expect a human victim of a major traffic accident.”
But Steve proved himself a fighter and after almost a month of intensive care treatment was well enough to be brought out into the sunshine.
“That was a real turning point for him,” Dr Hanger said.
“He responded really well to feeling the sun on him and we noticed a big change in his behaviour after that.”
His rehabilitation cost the charity hospital more than $7000, but Dr Hanger said cost wasn’t a concern. But the number of patients like Steve arriving at the hospital is a worry.
“Steve typifies the plight of koalas today,” Dr Hanger said.
“There needs to be recognition for what these poor little fellas go through because of us destroying their habitat and leaving them nowhere to go.”
Koala casualties increase this time of year, with many feeling the urge to leave their mum and find habitat of their own. Many never make it but Steve is one of the lucky ones and the hospital staff are proud of his recovery.
