Wildlife Rescuer Saves Baby Koala from Python in Brisbane Reserve

A wildlife rescuer has saved a young koala from a python attack during a bushwalk in Brisbane's Whites Hill Reserve at Camp Hill. The rescuer, identified as Nell, intervened after hearing a commotion roughly 15 metres from the footpath while walking her dog, Pluto.

Nell reported that noise from nearby birds drew her attention to the scene, where she saw the mother koala attempting to scratch a python off her joey. Recognizing the immediate danger to the young animal, Nell picked up the joey and unraveled the snake, which was wrapped around the baby.

Rescue and Reunification

During the rescue, Nell held the crying joey on her shoulder while securing the python in her other hand. A passerby offered assistance and agreed to hold her dog after declining to handle the snake. Nell placed the python into a small tree temporarily to assess the young koala for injuries.

After confirming that the joey's limbs were fully functional and that its breathing was stable, Nell returned the animal to its mother, who had remained nearby in a tree throughout the incident. The mother and joey embraced upon being reunited.

Relocation and Awareness

Following the rescue, Nell carried the snake, estimated to be about 1.5 metres in length, wrapped around her arm to a location far enough away to prevent it from returning to the koalas. She noted that while the python was likely large enough to kill the joey, it would not have been able to swallow it.

The rescuer stated that both the koalas and the snake were uninjured during the event. Nell shared video of the encounter to raise awareness about endangered koalas and the various threats facing the species in the wild.