Koala and joey found huddled in bushfire to be released into wild
A koala joey and his mum who were found clinging to a fallen branch during a bushfire in the Gold Coast hinterland are set to be released back into the wild.
Jimboomba police officer Darren Ward discovered the koala and her baby in shock, clinging to a fallen branch on the ground in September.
The pair, nicknamed Rupert and Ainslee, were taken to RSPCA Queensland Wildlife Hospital for treatment.
Wildlife carer Sam Longman, who took the koalas in after a few weeks at the RSPCA, told the ABC Rupert has been nursed back to health by his mum and a second koala named Eve.
Eve’s currently in Ms Longman’s care with her joey Ella.
Ms Longman told the ABC Ainslee’s condition has improved with her paws healing and fur regrowing.
Rupert, who’s 12 months old, is also on the mend.
“He's starting to play, biting his mum's face, legs, arms, knees and she is starting to growl at him more and he's getting in trouble,” Ms Longman told the ABC.
"But she's doing really well with him, I'm really impressed — from what she's been through to where she is now."
Ms Longman added while Rupert still cuddles his mum he’s starting to show independence and on some nights he’s sleeping by himself.
But the carer wants to wait a few more months to release Rupert and Ainslee hoping he’ll be more independent by then.
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