Baby Koala Receives Life-Saving Care at Taronga Wildlife Hospital

A koala joey named Hank received life-saving care at the Taronga Wildlife Hospital in Dubbo, Australia. Photo by Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

The Taronga Wildlife Hospital in Dubbo, Australia provided life-saving care to a sick koala joey, named Hank.

When Hank arrived at the hospital in January, he was dehydrated and lethargic. Veterinary staff provided 24-hour intensive care for weeks, giving him IV fluids, medication and a special milk diet. Now Hank is thriving.

Veterinary staff provided 24-hour intensive care for weeks to Hank. Photo by Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

The veterinary team gave Hank IV fluids, medication and a special milk diet when he first arrived into their care. Photo by Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

“After being in round-the-clock care the past few months, coming home with me at night and being at the Wildlife Hospital during the day, Hank has now been weaned and is adjusting to his leaf only diet,” said Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s Senior Veterinary Nurse, Jodie Lardner-Smith.

Hank is currently living at the wildlife hospital. But he will be introduced to other koalas in a rehabilitation enclosure so he can learn necessary koala life skills. This will prepare him for his eventual return to the wild.

Hank is now thriving thanks to the care he received at Taronga Wildlife Hospital. Photo by Rick Stevens.

Hank is one of the 700 sick, injured or orphaned native animals cared for by the Taronga Wildlife Hospital Dubbo every year. To help even more animals, Taronga is building another wildlife hospital in Sydney. Visit the Taronga website for more information.

To learn more about koalas, see our koala facts page.