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\nA koala in Brisbane, Australia, found itself riding a city bus last weekendA Brisbane CityGlider bus driver spotted the creature dodging traffic on a busy city street before welcoming it onto his vehicleThe koala, named Peri, was checked by a veterinary clinic before he was deemed healthy and cleared for release on Sunday<\/p>\n
An Australian bus driver recently welcomed an unexpected rider on his nightly route.<\/p>\n
According to a Dec. 14 social media<\/a> post from Koala Rescue Brisbane South Inc., the charity received a call Saturday night from a bus control support officer about a koala<\/a> on a Brisbane CityGlider.<\/p>\n The rescue says the \u201chero bus driver<\/a>\u201d noticed the marsupial dodging traffic on a busy city street before \u201cit scrambled up a light post.\u201d Concerned it might fall into heavy traffic below, the driver took it upon himself to bring it to safety.<\/p>\n The driver launched into action, using a light jacket to cover its head before moving it onto the bus. Inside the vehicle, the koala, named Peri, latched onto a yellow handrail and enjoyed the rest of the ride.<\/p>\n After the rescue got a hold of Peri, they brought it to the local RSPCA wildlife hospital for a check-up. In less than 24 hours, veterinary staff deemed Peri healthy and cleared him for release on Sunday.\u00a0\u00a0\n<\/p>\n A koala rescued by an Australian bus driver.<\/p>\n Koala Rescue Brisbane South<\/p>\n \u201cPeri is not munching on leaves in Seven Hills Bushland Reserve,\u201d the charity wrote. \u201cA huge thanks to the bus driver for caring enough to stop to help. We\u2019re so grateful that you did!\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n While the organization applauded the bus driver\u2019s efforts, they typically don\u2019t recommend handling the creatures without proper training.<\/p>\n \u201cThey have incredibly dangerous claws, can bite \u2014 and gripping them around their ribs can cause serious damage,\u201d they wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you find an injured koala, and it\u2019s safe to contain it without touching it until help arrives, please do so; anywhere dark is good for wildlife,\u201d they added. \u201cUsually we recommend a laundry basket covered with a towel, but if needs be, a bus will do!\u201d\n<\/p>\n Peri.<\/p>\n Koala Rescue Brisbane South<\/p>\n According to the World Wildlife Fund<\/a> (WWF), koalas are an \u201ciconic symbol of Australia.\u201d The furry creatures hold a deep significance to the Aboriginal people and are often featured in stories, songs and art.<\/p>\n The animals, commonly found in the eucalyptus forests along Australia\u2019s eastern coast, depend on trees to survive.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n