Situated in a tree-filled reserve on Australia's mid-north coast, the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital is the world's first rehabilitation facility dedicated solely to the care and preservation of wild koalas.
Now, the Hospital now contains a treatment room, eight intensive care units, multiple recovery yards, as well as a 24-hour rescue and treatment operation. The Hospital is also a research facility for the University of Sydney's Koala Infectious Diseases Research Group whose principal focus is divining a cure for Chlamydia which may affect almost half the koala population.
Apart from Chlamydia, motor vehicle accidents and dog attacks are the most common cause of injuries sustained, predominantly during the breeding season. We also admit a number of joeys (baby koalas) who have become separated from their mothers. Bush fires also have a devastating impact on the koala population.
The Hospital is open to visitors 8am-4pm, 365 days a year. With the exception of our Supervisor, and Leaf Collectors the Hospital is staffed entirely by volunteers, without whom the Hospital simply would not exist.
The cost of operating the hospital is over $140,000 per year. As we receive no government funding, we rely heavily on funds raised through our Adopt A Wild Koala Program, donations, bequests and other fund-raising activities.