Moggill Koala Hospital
An orphaned koala joey received at Moggill Koala Hospital.
The Moggill Koala Hospital was opened in 1991 by the Queensland Government in response to public concern about the increasing number of injured and diseased koalas found in South East Queensland.
The hospital is run by the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) for the rehabilitation of sick, injured and orphaned koalas and is open every day of the year. The hospital is not open to the public.
Admissions
Koala being treated at the Moggill Koala Hospital.
Koalas are commonly admitted for treatment and/or rehabilitation for the following reasons.
- Chlamydial-related diseases. Chlamydia is a bacteria which causes chronic infection including conjunctivitis, cystitis, infertility and kidney failure.
- Traumatic injuries caused by cars and dogs.
- Orphaned joeys (a baby koala).
DERM's Daisy Hill Koala Ambulance operates every day of the year during business hours, performing rescues specifically within the Koala Coast region and transporting them to the Moggill Koala Hospital. The Koala Coast is located 20 kilometres south-east of Brisbane city and covers an area of around 375 square kilometres. It encompasses portions of three local governments: the mainland portion of Redland City, the eastern portion of Logan City and the south-eastern portion of Brisbane City.
Volunteer wildlife rescue groups also rescue sick, injured and orphaned koalas seven days a week, 24 hours a day. As well as the Moggill Koala Hospital, koalas in South East Queensland are treated at the Australian Wildlife Hospital, the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, and by private veterinary surgeons. All admissions are recorded and provided to the Moggill Koala Hospital, where critical data is entered into the Koala Hospitals Information System. As a result, Moggill Koala Hospital now has more than 40,000 records which assists the government’s koala conservation and management efforts in the region.
Sightings of healthy koalas are also recorded in the information system. All of this data helps to identify koala habitat and monitor koala populations.
Once rehabilitated, treated koalas are returned to their natural habitat at, or close to, their point of rescue. Each koala is micro-chipped so that it can be identified in the future.
Volunteers
Koala with conjunctivitis.
The majority of koalas admitted to the hospital are rescued by volunteer wildlife groups.
Volunteers are an integral part of the operation of the Moggill Koala Hospital. Every day, a team of dedicated volunteers care for the hospitalised animals.
If you are interested in volunteering at the Moggill Koala Hospital and are over 18 years of age, phone the volunteer co-ordinator on 07 3202 0267.
Orphaned koalas are also cared for by volunteers in their own homes until they are big enough for release back into the wild. Only experienced wildlife carers who understand the demanding needs of koala joeys are entrusted with this care.
Koala sightings
Sightings of all koalas (healthy, sick, injured, orphaned and dead) in South East Queensland should be reported.
Telephone Monday to Sunday during business hours:
- Moggill Koala Hospital (07) 3202 0231
- Daisy Hill Koala Centre (07) 3299 1032
Telephone Monday to Sunday after hours:
- RSPCA Qld 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625)
Last updated 30 August 2011