Ruse resident Ricardo Lonza has rescued many koalas over the past few years. They’re all special for the man from Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services Southwest, but this one, which goes by the name of Susan, could be the best yet.
That’s because Susan is the oldest koala rescued on this side of the Georges River.
“Today we have done a very special rescue of a long standing resident koala with the marvellous help of Kailas Wild,’’ Mr Lonza posted on his Facebook page, Help Save the Wildlife and Bushlands in Campbelltown.
“A koala we had seen time and time again and never had to really intervene until today because she was low, and her scat was small, and she was looking a bit worn,’’ he said.
“Well, it comes as no shock as to why she would be worn and older looking because this koala is 18 years old.
“The oldest koala recorded to ever be rescued in Campbelltown to date that we know of.’’
Mr Lonza said Susan was first tagged and collared for tracking by Professor Rob Close in 2007 as part of the Mac Koala project funded by Fairfax Community Newspapers.
She would have been around two years old at the time.
Susan has been rescued several times over the years, but released after being found fit to return to the wild.
On average, koalas live for 10 to 12 years in the wild, says Carla-Maree Simmons from Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services (Southwest).
“Females can continue to breed into their ‘teens’ and may live as long as 18 years, while males are thought to have slightly shorter lifespans.
“Susan is our oldest koala to be rescued and cared for to date; there was another before her who was 16 years old and disappeared before rescue.
“Reaching this geriatric age is a huge deal to us and makes you wonder how many more geriatrics are actually out there still trying to survive. It’s really amazing,’’ Ms Simmons said.
As for Susan, she is currently safe with lots of fresh food on tap and in care with Rhonda Pascoe at Wedderburn.
Ms Pascoe and Mr Lonza share the Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services coordinator role for koalas in the South West .
Later this week Susan will be taken for a vet assessment.
“Susan has obviously been a very smart koala staying out of trouble,’’ says Mr Lonza.
