We have all been watching Krissy daily and I'm stunned at how fast things can change. This photo was taken 10 days ago. On Sunday I didn't get a clear view through the leaves but thought he seemed to have his right eye a little shut. On Monday his eye was glued shut with pus.
So I caught him and he went to the wildlife hospital. First the good news - he weighed a whopping 2.4kg which is pretty big for a 12 month old.
However his blood tests showed that he has lost quite a bit of blood. We don't know what happened, if only they could talk! Most probable would be a trauma maybe the males doing all the chasing of the females just now and he may have fallen in a scuffle. Less probable that he was tapped by a car (possible but more likely he would be more injured if a car).
So he is on IV fluids and will be assessed again tomorrow to see if he needs a transfusion.
He is having his eye treated and we have to wait for the results testing his eye for the dreaded chlamydia (which we are treating for already as the antibiotics will work on chlamydia or any other bug causing the infection).
I'm reminded of how important my daily checking is if I want to help this colony. If he has suffered a trauma this could have been a slow painful death. Fast action means the best chance of a good result. So fingers crossed Krissy and I hope he isn't caught up in care for too long but can be wild and free again soon.
So good you are always there to give them the vigilant care and for being able to catch Krissy for the much needed treatment for survival . I wish him a fast and complete recovery so he can be set free again !
Opening this photo started my morning routine, and at first glance, I thought, "Well, who WOULDN"T fave this adorable photo?!" And then I read the gripping story... I'm so glad you're so attentive to your colony and my prayers are with this dear little girl.
Amazing image! So sorry to hear of his injury and very glad you are keeping such a close eye on your koalas so you can catch and treat injuries quickly. Please keep us posted on Krissy's recovery.
Once the koala is low enough, using a thick towel or blanket placed over the koala, pick him up by the arms trying to keep from being bitten and scratched too deeply. :)
2. Place a trap around the tree if the koala is too high up and providing the tree is a standalone - does not touch any other tree. (otherwise they simply move across to the next tree and are free) Check trap every 2 hours as a koala sitting in a cage once caught is at high risk of stress.
In this particular case, he was in a small tree and we were able to actually use rope to bend the tree down close enough to the ground to pluck him out of it. It is interesting that sick and injured koalas often get into small trees which is fortunate for helping us get them.
@vignouse oh supplementary bonus question answer - from a healthy koala. So far we have found no evidence of koalas having 'blood types' except 'koala blood', so any koala is compatible. Has to be an upside somewhere!
The wildlife hospital will harvest blood from healthy trauma cases that don't make it. Koalas don't need a large volume in a transfusion either fortunately.
@hermann@s4sayer thank you, fingers crossed and I will keep everyone updated
Fingers crossed here, too! He is Mist’s son, correct? Does she notice he’s not around? I hope he does not have Chlamydia conjunctivitis. Get well soon, Krissy!
@kchuk yes, he is Mist's joey. They recently separated from each other, so she is probably not aware. I so wish they could talk sometimes, I have a lot of questions too!
hope he has a speedy and successful recovery
thank all you for your concern
How to catch a wild koala - 2 main strategies.
1. Koala must be in a smaller tree. A long pole with a plastic bag tied to the end is used - shake the bag above their head to annoy them so they come down the tree trunk. A shorter pole with fishing net is used to prevent the koala from running back up the tree, and to help guide the koala down.
Once the koala is low enough, using a thick towel or blanket placed over the koala, pick him up by the arms trying to keep from being bitten and scratched too deeply. :)
2. Place a trap around the tree if the koala is too high up and providing the tree is a standalone - does not touch any other tree. (otherwise they simply move across to the next tree and are free) Check trap every 2 hours as a koala sitting in a cage once caught is at high risk of stress.
In this particular case, he was in a small tree and we were able to actually use rope to bend the tree down close enough to the ground to pluck him out of it. It is interesting that sick and injured koalas often get into small trees which is fortunate for helping us get them.
The wildlife hospital will harvest blood from healthy trauma cases that don't make it. Koalas don't need a large volume in a transfusion either fortunately.
@hermann @s4sayer thank you, fingers crossed and I will keep everyone updated
And thank you for all the photos and information you provide about the koalas.