It is been a busy and exciting month for staff at Potoroo Palace.
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Several different native wild animals were rescued and taken there for care.
One of the most remarkable of these rescues was a young male koala, affectionately named “Woollybutt” since this was one of his favourite species of eucalypt to munch on.
He was found in August sitting in the middle of the road near Wapengo and placed by his rescuer into a covered basket while not wanting to move.
This is the best way to assist a koala as it provides support on all sides of the body.
He was taken to Potoroo Palace the next day, still sitting in his basket and still seemingly stunned.
Staff had prepared for him a warm, safe enclosure with a tall tree stump and he was carefully checked over again for signs of injury - having already been examined by a vet.
The basket was gently tipped towards the stump and to staff’s amazement he crawled out and climbed it, nestling himself comfortably in a fork.
For the next few days he took supplement from a syringe and ate quantities of specially selected eucalyptus leaves.
It was a rare privilege for staff to participate in such a heart-warming experience and to be directly contributing to the broader community effort of conserving this local koala population.
“Woollybutt” was dazed and confused upon arrival, but as the days went by he began to make it quite clear that his Potoroo Palace retreat was coming to an end and he told staff quite plainly that he was ready to go home!
This was a little sooner than anticipated and not everyone could be there for his release as planned.
The staff who did witness his release were deeply touched to see him return to the wild.
He is the first wild koala since 2001 to be released in this area and it was a very special moment.
