The prestigious Australian Wildlife Rehabilitation Conference brought together Australia’s leading wildlife carers giving them the opportunity to learn from each other and from experts in the field including researchers, carers and veterinarians.  

The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital’s clinical director, Cheyne Flanagan, joined Damien Higgins from Sydney University to deliver a talk – Koala Hospital: A Model for Wildlife Rehabilitation.

The invitation to present at the conference was further acknowledgement of the unique and world leading practices in wildlife rehabilitation conducted at the Koala Hospital.

“It is a privilege to be able to share some of the practices performed at the Koala Hospital with the wider wildlife rehabilitation organisations around Australia,” Ms Flanagan said.

 “Currently we are participating in a number of research projects with universities and governments departments. It’s great to be able to share this information.”

In further endorsement of the Koala Hospital’s reputation as a centre of excellence in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of wild koalas, the Society’s president, Jane Duxberry and German speaking volunteer, Susanne Scheuter, are meeting with representatives of the Duisburg Zoo and attending a ‘Save the Koala Day’ in Germany. 

Founded in 1934, Duisburg is one of the largest zoological gardens in Germany and is especially well known for breeding koalas for the whole of Europe.

This trip, at the invitation of the zoo, is to encourage and cement relationships between the Koala Hospital and European Zoos for the welfare and better handling practices of koalas in captivity. 

Over 10,000 visitors are expected at the Duisburg Zoo’s Save the Koala Day.

The invitation follows a visit from the head keeper of the Australian sector from the Duisburg Zoo, Mario Chindemi, to the Koala Hospital in December 2017. 

Since the visit, the zoo’s vet has been in contact with the Hospital’s clinical director for advice on koala care.