Koala Hospital Devastated After ‘Scumbag’ Steals Injured Animals' Water Drinking Station
One of the two koala water drinking stations installed at New South Wales’ Crowdy Bay National Park was stolen this week, in what has been described as a “terrible” incident that police are investigating.
Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, the facility responsible for distributing these water stations to the national park 271 km northeast of Sydney, was informed of the theft on Monday.
“Isn’t it terrible? We put this water station in to help wildlife and some scumbag’s come and stole it,” the hospital’s Sue Ashton, who also serves as Koala Conservation Australia president, told HuffPost Australia.
“I can’t believe it. Here we are going out into the burnt bushland and in Crowdy Bay National Park it’s really badly burnt, so there’s no vegetation growing back, it’s ash black.”
On Wednesday morning the koala hospital was informed that the $1,450 vessel had been returned to the same spot overnight but was damaged, prompting authorities to continue inquiries.
“Earlier this week, a wildlife water drinking station located at the Crowdy Bay National Park was reported missing to Manning-Great Lakes Police District,” a NSW Police spokesperson told HuffPost Australia.
“An investigation was launched however overnight, the station has been returned to the location. Inquiries are continuing, anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
Ashton has urged the public to come forward with any information they may have about the theft, suggesting “somebody must have seen it”.
“The things are so heavy, you need a minimum of two strong men to carry them, probably three. You need a trailer to put it on because they’re about two-and-a-half metres tall and they are really heavy,” she explained.
The damaged metal work and broken hoses will now require a staff member from Port Macquarie to travel an hour to Crowdy Bay National Park to repair the station.
Port Macquarie Hospital’s ‘Help Thirsty Koalas’...
