Sick koalas drinking from roads alarm wildlife rescuers

A recent video showing a koala drinking rainwater on a rural road in South Australia has raised alarms among wildlife rescuers. The sight, which seemed innocent at first, reveals a troubling reality about the health of these animals. After rain finally fell in the region, a driver saw the koala licking moisture from the bitumen and called for help. Mish, a carer from Southern Koala and Echidna Rescue Ltd, explained the koala was not just thirsty but very sick. “We received multiple reports of koalas seeking water on the road, and they all had serious health issues,” she noted. Healthy koalas can drink enough moisture from eucalyptus leaves, so those coming down to drink from roads are typically not well. Some drivers, thinking they were helping, tried to move the koalas off the road. However, they did not realize that the koalas’ desperate search for water was linked to their poor health. If untreated, these koalas risk starvation or worsening illnesses. One specific koala from the video was found to be suffering from reproductive disease and kidney problems, leading to her euthanasia. Another male that also drank from the road had injuries from being hit by a car. Mish emphasized that a simple call to a wildlife rescuer can make a big difference for these animals. Wildlife rescuers encourage people to report any koalas seen drinking, as early intervention can help provide them with necessary care. “It’s heartbreaking to see so many that are just left to suffer,” Mish added.