A Koala joey with a grave prognosis is now thriving after receiving life-saving care at the Taronga Wildlife Hospital at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo.

The joey, nicknamed ‘Hank’, was brought to the Wildlife Hospital in January by a WIRES carer from Narrandera.

“He came to us dehydrated and lethargic, with further complications due to not eating,” said Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s Senior Veterinary Nurse, Jodie Lardner-Smith. “He was a very unwell little joey.”

After weeks of 24-hour intensive care from the Zoo’s veterinary team, including administration of IV fluids, medication and a special milk diet, Hank progressed in leaps and bounds.

“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 Jodie.

“He is now residing at the Wildlife Hospital full-time and is ready to be introduced to another koala to learn necessary life skills for his eventual return to the wild.”

“The next step is to move Hank to a rehabilitation enclosure with other koalas so he can learn appropriate koala behaviour and other necessary life skills such as climbing trees.

Hank is one of the 700 sick, injured or orphaned native animals that comes through the doors of the Taronga Wildlife Hospital Dubbo every year.

Many of these cases are treated within full view of Zoo guests, with visitors given a literal window to watch the Zoo’s veterinary team at work as they heal the wild.

To increase capacity, Taronga is building a new Wildlife Hospital at Taronga Zoo Sydney, to make sure Taronga’s veterinary teams have the tools they need to save Australia’s iconic wildlife now and into the future.

For more information about the new Taronga Wildlife Hospital in Sydney or to support the future of Australia’s iconic native species, go to taronga.org.au/donate/wild-futures

Anyone who comes across any injured, sick or distressed wildlife is encouraged to contact their local wildlife care organisation which can rescue the animal and bring them to the Taronga Wildlife Hospital for assessment.

Taronga is not-for-profit. Every dollar you spend has the Power to Protect. Whether you visit, stay overnight, donate, become a Zoo Friend or Zoo Parent, book an unforgettable behind the scenes experience or buy a gift for a loved one, every dollar helps save wildlife.

Taronga proudly acknowledges the NSW Government’s support of Taronga’s Wildlife Hospitals.