The couple was crossing underneath a bridge when they spotted a small, fluffy figure desperately clinging to a dead tree branch jutting out of the rushing water below. Peering over the railing for a closer look, they realized it was a koala — soaking wet, trembling, and unable to move.
They immediately contacted Shelly Burrowes of Hamilton Wildlife Shelter, who rushed to the scene with her rescue partner, Kelly.
Into the Freezing River
Burrowes suspected the koala had either fallen from an overhanging branch or slipped into the water while drinking. Either way, she was exhausted and stranded.
Kelly waded into the freezing river and attempted to lift the koala out using a net — but the animal held firm. With patient coaxing, she was eventually persuaded to climb lower in the tree. When she finally dropped into the water, Burrowes was ready, scooping her up in a net and transferring her safely into a crate.
“She was pretty exhausted,” Burrowes said. “She was also a bit bewildered, but calm.”
One Rescue That Turned Into Two
The koala was brought to Whigadn Wildlife Shelter, where staff began assessing her for injuries. During the examination, they made a stunning discovery — a tiny joey tucked inside her pouch.
Kelly and Burrowes hadn’t rescued one koala. They had rescued two.
A Family on the Road to Recovery
Today, the mama koala and her joey are still at the wildlife shelter, slowly regaining their strength. Rescuers are closely monitoring the pair and ensuring they have everything they need before eventually releasing them back into the wild.
Why Reporting Matters
Burrowes is grateful that Fiona and her husband trusted their instincts and made the call. She emphasizes that noticing and reporting unusual animal behavior is often the first — and most critical — step in saving a life.
In this case, one couple’s good deed made all the difference for a mother and her baby who had nowhere else to turn.