Recent Patients
The animals listed below only visit our hospital for a short time and are then released back into their natural environment or allocated to a wildlife carer. These animals are not available for sponsorship, however any general donations or sponsorship you make to Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors will go to assisting these animals and others like them.
Pheno the Koala
Age: 10+ Sex: Male
Found: After being hit by a car at Coomera on the Gold Coast.
Transported to: The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital for specialised treatment and rehabilitation.
Veterinary Assessment: Dr Bec assessed Pheno, with x-rays revealing he had suffered a fractured forearm. He is otherwise a very healthy male koala of unusually old age - he is very lucky to have lived for such a long timein the area in which he was found.
Treatment: Dr Bec administered Pheno pain relief and applied a cast to his forearm to help the fracture heal in place. Pheno was kept in the Mammals ICU under close observation, and has recently moved to a leafy outdoor enclosure.
Outcome: Pheno will remain in care for the next few months while his fracture heals, and will undergo regular physiotherapy to regain movement and climbing skills. He will then be released back into the wild.
AZWH Statistic: On average, two koalas are admitted each week after being hit by a car, with 207 treated in 2011. Please slow down!
Zayne the Platypus
Age: Juvenile Sex: Female
Found: Stuck in a fish ladder in a weir in the Caboolture River.
Transported to: The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital by the concerned local resident who found Zayne.
Veterinary Assessment: Triage nurses Lisa and Ann checked over Zayne when she was admitted late in the afternoon, and found she was a healthy little girl who had just been displaced. Dr Robyn’s assessment detected no abnormalities.
Treatment: Zayne was already well hydrated, and fed some mealworms. She was kept in the Mammals ICU overnight for observation, and given the all-clear for release the very next day.
Outcome: Zayne was released in suitable platypus habitat, far from any roads or residential housing, by Murray our Appeals Manager. It’s great getting out of the office to see the results of all of our hard work!
AZWH Statistic: It’s very rarely we see platypus at the hospital (3 since 2010), but we’ve treated two in the past week alone!
Allan the Dollarbird
Age: Juvenile Sex: Unknown
Found: Hopping and flapping on the side of a road in Landsborough.
Transported to: The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital by the concerned local resident who found Allan.
Veterinary Assessment: Dr Claude assessed Allan and noted weakness, but a good body score overall. X-rays revealed Allan had no fractures, however there were several foreign objects located in his stomach, including what looked like a can ring pull.
Treatment: Dr Claude gave Allan fluids, pain relief and antibiotics, and prepared for surgery the following day. However in the morning, Dr Claude discovered that overnight Allan had passed three can ring pulls, a rock, and a piece of plastic!
Outcome: Allan is still having a little trouble standing, however is now able to be sent to a registered wildlife carer for hand-raising before being released back into the wild.
AZWH Statistic: Please dispose of your rubbish carefully! Many patients are brought to us after eating what they mistake for food, and not all are as lucky as Allan.
Button the Swamp Wallaby
Age: Juvenile Sex: Male
Transported to: The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital by his licensed wildlife carer Helen, who had been raising Button after being orphaned.
Veterinary Assessment: Dr Claude assessed Button and found that his little stomach was severely bloated. He was also suffering from bad case of gas and diarrhoea, though pathology tests cleared him of any infectious disease.
Treatment: Some medical treatments attempted to resolve the bloat were unsuccessful, so Dr Claude performed an exploratory laparotomy and found that Button's small intestines were a little tangled (intussusception), which she corrected. Dr Claude also aspirated excess air, and administered pain relief and fluids.
Future: Button is currently feeding on grasses and milk formula, and is under close observation in the Nursery ICU. He will remain in care until he is old enough for release back into the wild.
AZWH Statistic: Summer is our busiest time of year for orphans, with over 275 admitted in the last two months alone.
Ball the Channel-billed Cuckoo
Age: Adult Sex: Female
Found: Being attacked by crows at Meridan Plains about 7.30pm, likely because she was close to their nest.
Transported to: The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital by the concerned resident who rescued and named Ball.
Veterinary Assessment: Dr Amber found some bruising on Ball's legs, but no other wounds or obvious fractures. X-rays revealed quite a surprise - a fully developed egg ready to pop out!
Treatment: Dr Amber administered Ball injectable calcium, pain relief and fluids, and kept her nice and warm in the Birds ICU for observation overnight.
Outcome: Ball was released back to where she was found the following day, with high hopes she will find a safe spot to lay her egg.
AZWH Statistic: The AZWH has treated 17 channel-billed cuckoos over the past 8 years, a small number due largely to the species' migratory patterns over the northern parts of Australia. The species naturally lay their eggs in other birds' nests.
Previous Patients
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