Hospital Services

The Koala Hospital was founded in 1973 by a local couple, Jean and Max Star. It is a "C" class Veterinary Hospital, restricted to on site minor procedures only. All major surgeries, x-rays etc. are undertaken at our Veterinary Superintendent's practice in Port Macquarie.

Over the Hospital's 37 year operation, a number of protocols and procedures for dealing with a myriad of reasons for koala admissions, have been developed. Some are highly successful, where others are continually being trialled and reassessed for further improvement. Eye infection as a result of the chlamydial bacteria, usually has an excellent result from treatment, whereas the urogenital form of Chlamydia is still a battle that has to be won. A massive research project involving Sydney University and other industry partners will, we hope, eventually to have a successful outcome.

The Koala Hospital, being a research/study centre has not only a strong affiliation with Sydney University, but also networks with many institutions, zoos, wildlife researchers, wildlife veterinarians and numerous wildlife rehabilitation groups world wide.

Services / Resources

 

Facilities

Services

1.   Treatment room

  • Large window for easy viewing of koalas being treated
  • Computer monitor with continual slideshow
  • Ultrasound is also connected to the TV Monitor Public can observe a koala being ultrasounded
  • Visitors can see neonatal care in the humidicrib

2.   Rehabilitation Yards

  • Layout easy to walk around
  • New paving
  • Yards can house up to 100 koalas
  • Public can observe recovery, care and feeding of koalas

3.   Intensive Care Units (ICUs)

  • Internal rooms cater for koalas with specific medical needs

4.   Kiosk

  • Open 9 hours per day (9am-4:30pm), 7 days per week
  • Visitors able to buy locally made (where possible) souvenirs/products
  • Drinks are available
  • Staff are happy to talk to any visitors about aspects of the Hospital
  • Written information available in six languages
  • Takes rescue calls

5.   Education Complex

  • Training facility
  • Used for schools/groups
  • Wet weather Walk and talks

6.   Display Panels

  • Detailed information relating to habitat, bushfires, medical issues that affect koalas

7.   Whiteboard

  • Chronicles patients in care

8.   Nursery

  • Tube stock of koala food trees are available

9.   Tours

  • Free Walk-and-Talk tours at 3pm daily
  • Special tours for daily interest groups, available in multiple languages

With the ever diminishing koala food trees, due to local development, the Society is committed to replacing as many food trees as possible. Our Habitat Co-ordinator represents the Society at Council meetings trying to create a balanced view whenever a new development proposal is lodged that is going to have an affect on koala's.

Whilst the Hospital is only staffed from 7.00a.m. until 4.30.p.m. each day, we provide a 24 hour rescue service and if a koala is found sick or injured after hospital hours a trained rescuer will attend and either take the koala to one of our Home Carers for the night or, if necessary, take it to the Veterinary Surgeon for attention.

Home Care volunteers are also trained to look after koalas that need extra "around the clock" care until they are well enough to be admitted to the Hospital. Orphaned joeys are also reared in Home Care until they reach an acceptable body weight, then they are returned to the Hospital where they finish their 'growing up' and de-humanising, ready to be released into the wild.

 
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Latest News

Environmental Donation
Administrator - Friday, 18 November 2011

Environmental Donation

Volunteers at the Koala Hospital are very aware of the need to conserve water. This has sometimes been difficult, however, as the leaf in the containers in the koala yards need to be misted twice daily to provide the animals with the moisture they require, as well as...


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Koala Stories by Pam Whippy
Administrator - Thursday, 17 November 2011

Koala Stories by Pam Whippy – a long time volunteer.

I have been working at the Koala Hospital for over 13 years and started there in May 1998. I was born in Port Macquarie, and moved back there in 1997 due to forced early retirement.

On my return to Port, I visited the Koala Hospital, fell in...


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Koala Hospital Documentary
Administrator - Thursday, 17 November 2011

KOALA HOSPITAL presents the poignant and surprising life of koalas.

For almost 40 years, the Koala Hospital and its community of volunteers have been caring for sick and injured wild koalas, giving them a second chance at life.

Australian filmmaker Susan Kelly documented wild behaviour and life at...


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