In the Media

Australian Wildlife Hospital’s Miracle Koala Returns to his Real Habitat
News Source: The Range News, September 22 2005

Lucky survivor captures hearts
The vets and nurses at the Australian Wildlife Hospital faced their biggest challenge yet when bus driver Steve Janson arrived at 1am on April 27, 2004, with a two-year-old koala who was severely battered, bruised and bleeding after being hit by a car on the Bruce Highway.

The very first koala ever to be treated at the Australian Wildlife Hospital, Steve was fundamental to the treatment of the subsequent 600 koalas cared for at the hospital since his arrival.

After 17 months of treatment and care, Steve was released last Thursday back into his natural habitat in the Caboolture Shire.

Upon arrival in April, hospital staff assessed Steve’s extensive injuries. Hospital Manager Gail Gipp said they didn’t take into consideration the cost involved to treat the koala.

“We didn’t look at how much it would cost to treat the koala or how much time and effort it would take – we only took into consideration the well-being of the individual,” Gail said. “If we though we had a chance of saving him, enabling him to return to the wild, then we did.”

This was certainly the case with Steve. The hospital’s head wildlife veterinarian Jon Hanger had successfully treated the same injuries that Steve was suffering from, but he had never before had to treat them all at once on the one animal.

The treatment being performed on Steve sparked the interest of many other veterinarians who came from far and wide to witness the medical breakthrough.

Human paediatricians at Princes Charles Hospital were consulted for advice and orthopaedic surgeons were also involved in the “miracle baby’s” treatment, as he was later dubbed by his adoring carers.

In total the treatment cost exceeded $7000.

Steve’s successful rehabilitation is a credit not only to his world-class treatment by the best in the business, but also to his own gentle nature.

It is rare for a wild koala to be so accepting of people, and the treatment given, as Steve was.

Steve’s release brings on a range of emotions for his vets and carers.

While they are immensely proud of the work they have done and Steve’s recovery, they will be sad to see him go as he has captured the heart of everyone who has been lucky enough to meet this little survivor.

Gail said that Steve’s release was a bittersweet one.

“Steve has exceeded our expectations. We thought he might remain a bit stiff in his arm or have trouble eating [leaves] due to the injuries to his jaw, but after much treatment and care he is perfect,” Gail said.

“We’re so pleased he [was] released as that is the ultimate goal with any animal that comes to the hospital, however releasing Steve will be sad for us in a way because we just love him! He’s our special little miracle baby.”

The Australia Wildlife Hospital cares for all kinds of wildlife and looks forward to providing care for more special animals like Steve.

Steve has certainly done his part for future koalas who will definitely benefit from his case.