By Michelle Burgum | Donor Relations Officer
Shawn the Koala
Age: Adult - 3 Years Old Sex: Male Weight: 5.6 kgs
Found: On a property in Toogoolawah. It was suspected that Shawn had been attacked by three dogs and also caught up in the middle of a herd of sheep!
Transported to: To the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital by Sunshine Coast Koala Rescue Group.
Veterinary Assessment: On initial assessment Dr Amber couldn't see any signs of physical trauma but did find a very scared and shaken koala. Dr Amber anaesthetised Shawn so she could perform a physical examination and an x-ray and was pleased to find absolutely no injuries or abnormalities. He was also graded with a good body score of 8 out of 10 and a test for disease came back negative.
Treatment: Shawn had a very lucky escape and fortunately didnt require any treatment. He was given fluids to keep him hydrated and an ear-tag and microchip were placed for identification. After three days in care at the wildlife hospital he was ready to go back to the wild and had even put on an extra kilogram in weight.
Future: A very healthy Shawn the koala has since been released back into his home range in the Toogoolawah region, well away from farmland, houses and roads. Hopefully he can live his days happily in the wild and isnt seen at the hospital again.
AZWH Fact: 15% of koalas admitted to AZWH last month were a victim of a dog attack. Dog owners can prevent the chance of an attack by walking their dog on a leash and not allowing them to roam at night
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