KID-STYLE KOALA CARE
CURRUMBIN THROWS OPEN ITS DOORS
VISITORS to Currumbin Wildlife’s Hospital Open Day couldn’t have expected a more confronting reality.
A staggering seven koalas were admitted into the animal hospital yesterday before lunchtime after being hit by cars, attacked by dogs or showing signs of illness.
Senior veterinarian Dr Michael Pyne said he hoped the hundreds of people who visited took something away from the behind-the-scenes Open Day, whether it was to plant more trees, create nest boxes or donate to the hospital.
“It was a crazy busy morning,” he said.
“You can read about it but until you see a very smashed up koala it’s not the same.”
Dr Pyne said as spring came around and the weather warmed up more koalas were on the move, which made them more vulnerable.
Dr Pyne said he expected at least 500 koalas to come through the doors this year – up from the 418 admitted last year.
Marketing manager Jayme Cuttriss said her daughter Luella Grant, 5, was able to help out briefly as part of the Open Day experience.
“She loved the hospital and watching what the vets do,” she said.
“She got to go into the operating theatre with Michael (Pyne) the vet and do a check-up on an injured koala. She used ultrasound equipment on the koala to see there were any internal injuries. It was a suspected dog attack.”
The Open Day ran from 10am until 2pm and featured face painting, a Borobi show and craft corners.