⟵ Koa la H osp ita l , Por t Macq ua r ie
The Koala Hospital
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The Koala Hospital adjacent to Roto House is the world’s only hospital dedicated solely to the care and preservation of wild koalas. Founded by Jean and Max Starr in 1973, the hospital is entirely self-funded from donations, bequests, adoptions and their shop. It is managed by the charitable organisation, the Koala Conservation Australia, only has six paid staff, 200 volunteers and hosts one overseas volunteer for one month every month - a position that is in very high demand. Facilities include a treatment clinic, eight internal intensive care units, six outdoor intensive care units and 30 rehabilitation yards. There are a small number of non releasable koala patients who are permanent residents (ten in total) that are available for the public to see. The Koala Hospital is a research institution that collaborates and works with a number of universities and other institutions. Up until about five years ago, this unique Hospital would treat up to 200-250 sick and/or injured koalas each year, and successfully rehabilitate and return about 6070% of their admissions to the wild. Koalas are admitted from all over NSW. Primary reasons for admission to care are being hit by cars, dog attacks and the bacterial infection Chlamydia which causes urogenital disease (commonly called wet bottom) and ocular (conjunctivitis). Other reasons discoverportmacquarie.com.au
include bushfires and issues that occur enormously popular throughout due to loss of habitat. In particular, the Australia. He very generously donated devastating bushfires across the region the proceeds from his song to Koala in 2019/2020 had a huge impact on the Conservation Australia. John raised a local koala population and the hospital considerable amount of money that was inundated with injured koalas. enabled the Koala Hospital to build How can we help the koala population? a new “John Williamson Wing” which We need to ensure their genetic houses their intensive care unit. diversity is conserved by protecting The Koala Hospital has plans for a their habitat, reducing vehicle strikes, multi-million dollar redevelopment after dog attacks and disease - this is receiving an overwhelming number fundamental to their population health. of public donations as well as grant How are the admitted funding from the NSW Koalas named? Usually Government.. The Koala PORT by the person who Hospital is open daily MACQ UARIE IS found them and the from 8.30am to 4pm. THE PL ACE TO location in which they Wandering guides are on G E T U P CLOS E were found. Of the 900 site to answer questions AND PERSONAL species of eucalypt trees and tell visitors about WITH ONE OF that grow in Australia, koalas. approximately only 60 Visitors to the Koala AUS TR A LI A’ S of them across Australia Hospital can view the M OS T ICO NIC are ‘food trees’ so koalas’ clinic through a large ANIMALS - THE habitat is determined by window and sometimes KO A L A . the availability of these see a koala being treated trees. by the inhouse vet. You Australian Music legend John Williamson can also observe the resident koalas in is also passionate about saving koalas. their enclosures, however the koalas in John has been a patron of Koala recovery are behind screens. Conservation Australia ever since he Did you know that 100,000 tourists visit met one of their founders, the late Jean the Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie Starr, in the early eighties. During a visit each year? Admission is free and to the Koala Hospital, he witnessed an donations are welcome - you can even emergency rescue call come in. The adopt a koala! Located at Lord St and entire experience was so impressive for Roto Place, Port Macquarie, 6584 1522, John that it inspired him to write the song koalahospital.org.au “Good Bye Blinky Bill”, which became
