A Victorian wildlife carer and future Australian of the Year nominee has revived a koala that was struck by a car in Melbourne last night by giving it mouth to mouth resuscitation and not even feeling icky about it.
The koala was struck by a vehicle in Langwarrin in Melbourne’s southwest Thursday night, after which it climbed up a tree and lost consciousness. A passing motorist then notified Wildlife Victoria who enlisted the help of the state’s Country Fire Authority (CFA), who executed a daring rescue plan in which the injured little fella was released from the tree and caught in a blanket.
He then underwent immediate emergency medical treatment including oxygen therapy, CPR and chest compressions performed by veteran Australian wildlife carer, Michelle Thomas. The koala – since named Sean – is now recuperating in Thomas’ wildlife shelter in Frankston, probably doing this:
Langwarrin CFA Captain Sean Curtin told Melbourne’s 3AW radio that rescuers had initially thought the animal was dead. “We believe it died in the tree, just when we were trying to rescue it. Then it fell out of the tree and the members caught it in a blanket,” Mr Curtin said. “Wildlife Victoria performed mouth-to-mouth and compressions and gave it some oxygen therapy as well.”
Here’s the rescue in action.
Hats off to everyone involved.
