Blog

Rescued Koalas Mack and Gage Set Free as NSW Govt. Announces $5m Investment to Support Koalas

Monday, April 29, 2024

From Rescue to Release

Mack and Gage, two orphaned koalas, have taken their first steps back into the wild. Their journey from rescue to release symbolises hope for the future of koalas in south-western Sydney and coincides with the announcement of a $5 million investment by the New South Wales Government to support koala conservation efforts in the region.

Mack, a female joey, was found with her mother at the base of a tree in Holsworthy in July 2023. Despite efforts to save her mother, Mack was left orphaned and weighed just 555 grams when she went into care with WIRES. Gage, a male joey, came into care in October 2023 after his mother was hit and killed by a vehicle at Holsworthy. He weighed 985 grams when taken into care by WIRES. Both koalas received treatment and care from the Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital staff and volunteers.

A New Chapter

Mack and Gage are taking their first steps back into the wild, marking the successful end of their rehabilitation journey. After being observed for a week in a small bushland area to ensure they are climbing trees properly, they will be given the green light to roam further afield.

NSW Government's Commitment

Their release coincides with the New South Wales Government's announcement of a $5 million investment to support koalas in south-western Sydney. The investment includes $4.5 million to establish a koala care centre in the Macarthur region and $500,000 to support volunteer rehabilitators. This funding will boost the availability of expert help for injured and sick koalas in the area.

The koala care centre will be part of the Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital on the University of Sydney's School of Veterinary Science Camden campus. This facility treats the majority of koalas in the Macarthur region.

The new funding will expand the hospital’s capacity to support koala rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation.

The facility will also benefit wildlife rehabilitation across the region by providing on-call vet care, advice, and access to facilities such as pre-release enclosures, upgraded clinical equipment, and biosecurity seclusion areas.

A grant program will provide $500,000 to support the region’s dedicated wildlife rehabilitators. The funding will help volunteers continue their invaluable work rescuing and rehabilitating koalas.

Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Penny Sharpe expressed her delight at Mack's recovery, stating,“I met little Mack at the Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital in September when she was newly orphaned and being cared for by the excellent WIRES team. It’s wonderful to see her strong and healthy as she returns to the wild."

WIRES EOFY Appeal 

WIRES is launching its End of Financial Year (EOFY) appeal to protect vulnerable, threatened, and endangered native species, including koalas. Your tax-deductible donation will help support WIRES' Emergency Rescue Service for many of our most vulnerable species. It will also fund grassroots ground partners across Australia to restore and safeguard habitat, support the recovery of vulnerable species, and advocate for the protections that our wildlife needs to survive and thrive. Please contribute to WIRES' EOFY Appeal and help protect Australia's unique wildlife and their habitats.