Your gifts MATCHED for desperate koalas!

Koalas are now classified as Endangered across many areas in Australia. Your generous gifts have now been matched by a wonderful Major Donor and are contributing to the vital rescue, rehabilitation and protection of critically important remaining koala populations - thank you!   

This is how you are helping koalas  

Every time a displaced, injured or sick koala is reported to our WIRES Wildlife Rescue Office, a critical alert is sent so help can reach them without delay.   

These alerts come through almost daily and they are always heartbreaking. Blinded by chlamydia, attacked by introduced predators, hit by cars, malnourished, dehydrated and displaced through loss of habitat, we’re at the point where every koala is now vital for the future of their species.  

Alongside our Wildlife Emergency Response (supported by our Wildlife Rescue Office which is run 24/7, every day of the year) WIRES is funding a range of programs to help secure the survival of koalas. We have established a new Koala Rehabilitation Facility on the grounds of Western Sydney University, run specialist koala courses for our volunteers so they have expert koala handling skills, and we are funding vital breeding programs and research into koala disease.  

Half-moon Harry’s second chance  

Here is just one example, from the almost 700 desperate koalas you have helped us assist in the past year: 

On the 16th December 2021 a local council worker in the Hawkesbury (Greater Sydney) noticed an adult male koala on the side of the road. His eyes were so infected with chlamydia he was barely able to see.  

The council worker called WIRES and we sent out an urgent koala rescue alert, which was answered by our local volunteer koala carer, Morgan. Whilst it took Morgan well over an hour to locate the sick koala, he was then able to transport him to the WIRES Koala Rehabilitation Facility for urgent medical attention.   

We are hoping Harry is one of the lucky ones. His prolonged treatment for chlamydia was successful and he was recently released back into his natural habitat, after receiving the all-clear from his local vet and an opthamologist.  Thank you for giving Harry his second chance of life in the wild! 

Thank you for the vital role you play in helping us rescue, rehabilitate and protect these survivors. We are deeply grateful for your support.