And don’t come back! Kate set free for fourth time

A KOALA affectionately known as “Wandering Kate” has been released into a marsupial paradise, hopefully for the fourth and last time.

She’s had a pretty rough year after being hospitalised at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary three times in the past 12 months.

No matter how cute Kate was, animal ambulance volunteer Dough Buerger said he hoped he wouldn’t see her again after releasing her at Clagiraba into the Nerang Conservation Park yesterday.

“There are a few animals we’ve seen a couple of times but Kate is very unusual,” Mr Buerger said. “Hopefully she doesn’t come back.”

Since October last year Kate has been rescued at Labrador, Benowa and Parkwood.

“She has travelled a long way,” he said.

“I think one of her longest trips was about 15km, which is a long way for a koala.”

Mr Buerger said she was just one of the 8000 native animals treated in the past year, making Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary one of the busiest in the country.

He said spring was the busiest season for the hospital because baby animals exploring were faced with domestic cats, dogs and vehicles.

Mr Buerger said an ambulance loaned by the RACQ was a great help.

“Getting an ambulance is critically important,” he said.

Picture: REGI VARGHESE Currumbin Wildlife Hospital volunteers Dough Buerger (right) and Michael Sanders release Wandering Kate into the Nerang Conservation Park at Clagiraba yesterday.

Wandering Kate sits on a branch following her release.