Yahoo – AFP,
November 7, 2016
 |
| A police officer takes care of a baby koala in Brisbane after it was found hidden in the bag of a woman they arrested on an unrelated matter |
Australian
police uncovered a baby koala hidden in the bag of a woman they stopped in the
street.
The
50-year-old, who was being spoken to on unrelated matters on Sunday evening,
stunned Brisbane officers when she revealed she had the creature in her canvas
satchell.
"Not
quite believing their ears, the officers cautiously unzipped the bag and found
this gorgeous boy," Queensland police said.
"The
koala -- believed to be about six months of age -- seemed to be in good health,
although a bit dehydrated."
The woman
claimed she found the joey, which is protected under the Nature Conservation
Act, on Saturday night and had been caring for it since.
The
marsupial was handed to the RSPCA, an animal protection charity, which named
him Alfred.
 |
The
much-loved koala has been under increasing threat across Australia in recent
decades, particularly from habitat loss, disease, dog attacks and bushfires
|
"He’s
been on fluids but is doing well and will shortly be going out to a carer,”
said RSPCA spokesperson Michael Beatty.
The woman
was subsequently arrested over "outstanding matters", police said.
The
much-loved koala has been under increasing threat across Australia in recent
decades, particularly from habitat loss, disease, dog attacks and bushfires.
A 2012
national count placed total koala numbers at 330,000, though their tree-top
habitat makes accurate assessment difficult.
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