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Warning to pet owners after koala is mauled to death by dog

Dog owners are being reminded to keep their pets on their leads in areas inhabited by wildlife following the death of a healthy male koala.

The six-year-old marsupial, named ‘Trampy’, died after it is thought he was bitten by a dog at Sir Thomas Riley Park, said to be off Butler Street in the Sunshine Coast suburb of Tewantin, last Friday.

Noosa Today reports the marsupial was assessed at Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital after being rescued by the Noosa Region Koala Rescue Team, but could not be saved.

Noosa Koala Sightings wrote online the healthy koala “was reported as being chased by an unleashed dog in a koala corridor”.

The healthy male was reportedly bitten last Friday on the Sunshine Coast. Source: Queensland Koala Crusaders/ Facebook
The healthy male was reportedly bitten last Friday on the Sunshine Coast. Source: Queensland Koala Crusaders/ Facebook

Queensland Koala Crusaders wrote online that “koalas and unleashed dogs do not mix!”.

“We have enough problems with sick koalas but for a healthy koala to be killed in such a way is tragic,” the online post read.

“Trampy showed no outward signs of being bitten but had severe puncture wounds to the abdomen with a ruptured caecum.

“RIP beautiful boy.”

Meghan Halverson, who is the president of the Queensland Koala Crusaders, explained that koalas don’t always show signs of being bitten, as their injuries might not be visible.

“It’s the puncture and internal bleeding that often is not evident to the naked eye,” Ms Halverson told Yahoo7.

“If there is any question of any interaction with a dog then it needs to go to a wildlife hospital to be evaluated.”

Many who have seen the posts online about the animal have said his death was “sad”, with one person saying it is “just not right for this to be happening”.

A street view of bushland off Butler Street, in the suburb of Tewantin. Source: Google
A street view of bushland off Butler Street, in the suburb of Tewantin. Source: Google