Koala joey clings to teddy in heart-melting roadside rescue at Brisbane’s Whites Hill Reserve

A tiny koala joey has captured hearts across Australia after being found alone near a busy road, clinging to life and later… to a teddy bear.

The joey was spotted on the kerb beside busy Boundary Rd in Brisbane’s Camp Hill early Saturday morning, dangerously close to the traffic.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Koala joey rescued and reunited with mum

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today

Local resident George, who was walking his dog Benji near Whites Hill Reserve, told Koala Rescue Brisbane South he’d noticed a “little fur ball” on the ground and knew something wasn’t right.

“I always like to look up for koalas in the trees. I also keep an eye out for any on the ground, just in case,” George said.

Unsure what to do with the squeaking joey, he phoned Koala Rescue Brisbane South.

Rescuer John Knights, a dedicated volunteer in his mid-70s, answered the call about 6am on Saturday.

He is the lead rescuer if Koala Rescue Brisbane South, a newly registered charity made up of local volunteers who respond 24/7 to koalas in danger, responding to more than 100 calls last month alone.

Knights and his fellow volunteers rushed to the area.

The joey, believed to have fallen from his mother’s back while crossing the road, was spotted by a local resident early Saturday morning, curled up on the kerb and visibly distressed. Credit: Koala Rescue Brisbane South

“This part of Boundary Road is incredibly dangerous for koalas,” said the organisation.

Despite the exclusion fence set up to protect the koalas from traffic, there are many signs urging drivers to slow down and staying alert for wildlife, highlighting the common occurrence of koala roadkill on this notorious stretch of Boundary Rd.

They gave the young joey a teddy to cling to, trying to keep him warm while searching for his mother.

“Without their mothers, young joeys are very vulnerable,” Koala Rescue Brisbane South said.

“They’re too small to climb trees, and on the ground, they’re completely defenseless.

“They are still reliant on their mums for nutrition, warmth and shelter.

“We feared the worst for the joey.”

A female koala was spotted high up in a tree inside Eric Sivell Park, on the other side of the fence.

Rescuers tried coaxing her down with poles, but she climbed higher.

Boundary Rd is known as a hotspot for koala fatalities, with wildlife groups describing it as one of the most dangerous stretches in Brisbane for native animals (left). Believed to be the mother, the adult koala remained out of reach despite multiple efforts to coax her down, climbing even higher as rescuers approached (right). Credit: Koala Rescue Brisbane SouthKoala rescuer John Knight with Precious, the tiny joey, clinging tightly to his teddy bear. Credit: Koala Rescue Brisbane SouthThe tiny joey was given a teddy bear for comfort and held onto it tightly until he was safely reunited with his mum. Credit: Koala Rescue Brisbane South

It was too risky to leave the joey exposed, so he was taken to the RSPCA for temporary care, Koala Rescue Brisbane South said.

“The joey clung to the teddy the whole time.”

The tiny joey male is about six months old, RSPCA said. He was named Precious.

RSPCA confirmed Precious was healthy and could go to a carer within two days if his mother wasn’t found.

Meanwhile, the wildlife volunteers tried a different method to catch the koala, whom they thought might be the little one’s mum.

“A humane trap was set around the base of the tree, and for a few hours, volunteers took turns to watch,” Koala Rescue Brisbane South said.

However, after watching for hours, there was still no progress.

The rescuers had to try a different approach.

“With no signs of movement, Alex, an expert climber and koala handler, volunteered to climb the tree, while other rescuers waited below, holding blankets in case the koala fell.”

Wildlife carers set a humane trap at the base of the tree in an attempt to safely capture the female koala, suspected to be the joey’s missing mother. Volunteers took shifts for hours, hoping she would eventually descend so the pair could be reunited. Credit: Koala Rescue Brisbane South With no signs of movement and the joey in need of urgent care, experienced koala handler Alex made the decision to climb the tree to reach the adult koala. After an eight-hour operation, the she was safely brought down and taken into care. Credit: Koala Rescue Brisbane South

From the ground, the team could see the adult koala had a distended pouch, suggesting she’d recently been caring for a joey.

Eight hours later, about 2pm, she was finally contained.

A check revealed her pouch was empty, but recently been nursing a joey.

“It took a team, but eventually, eight hours after her joey was found, a female adult koala, believed to be the joey’s mother, was on her way to the RSPCA, where carers planned to reunite her with the joey”, the wildlife organisation said.

“It was a match!”

The rescuers are still unsure, how the little one became separated from his mother in the first place.

“From his location, it would seem that she may have fallen off her back as she crossed the road.”

After health checks by RSPCA, the pair were cleared for release a day later.

Knights released them on Sunday about 4.30pm inside Whites Hill reserve.

Erica, as rescuers have since named the mum, dashed back up a tree with Precious safely clinging to her belly.

Mum now has an ear tag #1896 and her joey has been microchipped.

“We hope we never see them again,” Knights said, watching them climb higher into the branches.

Following a thorough health check by the RSPCA, both mother and joey were cleared for release back into their natural habitat inside Whites Hill Reserve. Credit: Koala Rescue Brisbane South

The rescuers are urging drivers to stay alert to protect vulnerable native animals.

“Please slow down and scan the road for wildlife,” Koala Rescue Brisbane South said.

Koala Rescue Brisbane South is a newly registered charity made up of local volunteers of all ages who respond 24/7 to calls about koalas in danger, with John, a dedicated rescuer in his mid-70s, leading the team which answered over 100 calls just last month.

If you see an wild animals in distress, please contact your local wildlife rescue organisation or call the national wildlife rescue hotline at 1300 596 457, which operates 24/7, for immediate assistance.