“It’s not often you get to be this close to our beautiful wildlife.”
The other day, a couple in Australia were enjoying a run with their dogs when they spotted a small gray blob cowering on the side of the path.
Stooping to get a better look, the couple locked eyes with a tiny, terrified face.
“They could see immediately he was not in a good way,” a representative from Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers said.
The fuzzball was a baby koala who’d mistakenly fallen from his tree. The couple called Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers for help, guarding the koala and keeping him safe while they waited for experts to arrive. Rescuers transported the koala, later named Markie, to Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, where vets began warming him up. Markie received fluids through an IV and pain relief medicine. Though veterinarians initially worried that Markie wouldn’t make it, the resilient little koala soon proved he was stronger than anyone expected.
“Markie’s health has slowly progressed,” the representative said. “[He’s] shown us he is a real fighter for life.”
These days, Markie is still in care, snacking on eucalyptus leaves and milk formula. Once he’s ready, rescuers will release him back into the trees.
“We look forward to … reaching the day when Markie is strong enough to be released back where he belongs — into the wild,” the representative said.
Kate and Mark, the couple who originally stumbled on Markie in the woods, are thrilled to have changed this little guy’s life for the better.
“We’re so happy to hear that our actions have saved his life!” they told Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers. “We also feel like this was a special occasion, as it’s not often you get to be this close to our beautiful wildlife. We feel really happy about our interaction with Markie.”