Axle the koala was rescued after being hit by a car in Adelaide. Photo / Southern Koala and Echidna Rescue Ltd
Axle the koala was rescued after being hit by a car in Adelaide. Photo / Southern Koala and Echidna Rescue Ltd
A koala has had a brush with death after being struck by a car and becoming lodged in its grille.
Axle, as he was later named, was rescued from a suburb in Adelaide’s south late on Saturday night by volunteer workers from the Southern Koala and Echidna Rescue (SKER), accordingto 9News.
“If you ever needed another reason to stop and check after hitting an animal, this is it,” SKER said in a Facebook post.
“He was hit with such force that he was thrown through the grille of a car and yet, somehow, he has come away with only minor injuries.”
The charity said volunteer rescuers responded just before midnight and carefully freed Axle from the vehicle.
SKER confirmed the koala had been checked over by a vet and, apart from a scrape and “what we imagine is a very sore head”, the “brave boy” was doing well.
Axle the koala became lodged in the grille of this car after it struck him last weekend. Photo / Southern Koala and Echidna Rescue Ltd
“One phone call truly made all the difference,” the charity said, acknowledging the driver who stopped to check on the marsupial before calling its 24-hour wildfire hotline.
“Axle will spend a few days resting and receiving some well-deserved TLC before being released back into a safer part of his home territory.”
Facebook users flooded SKER’s post with well-wishes suggested Axle and praise for rescuers for their dedicated efforts.
“OMG Axle. How lucky you are. Please stay off roads,” one commenter advised the koala.
“That’s one amazing Koala, and a kindhearted driver, and an out of this world rescue team!!” another said.
“What a miracle,” a third added. “Praise be to the person that stopped and made that call.”
Another jokingly suggested the koala be renamed “Bear Grylls”.
SKER said its wildlife hotline was critical in Axle’s rescue, adding: “You never know when it might save a life.”
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