Dead Koala Bounced to the Brink of a Building
Published: January 11, 2018 | 2025-08-22
Outrage Erupts After Furry Friend Gets Screwed to a Pole
- Coastal park where the singing koala once hopped
- John Dering’s “sickening” comment on Koala Rescue Queensland (KRQ) Facebook page
- Outcry from fans and animal‑rights folks worldwide
Picture this: a harmless koala, the epitome of Aussie cuteness, found dead, screwed into a steel column. And not somewhere natural, but at a picnic shelter in Brooloo Park Lookout near Gympie, north of Brisbane. The scene hit social media like a kangaroo’s knee – unexpected and ugly.
KRQ’s Shocked Reaction
Krq president Murray Chambers told reporter ABC that the sight reminded him of a nightmare:
“I think I was hearing things when I was told about the incident. We’ve had koalas shot and run over, but this is the first time a nutcase actually screws a koala to a structure.”
“What’s wrong with society? It’s so gut‑busting.”
The KRQ page exploded with right‑wing rage. Thousands of comments slammed the act, with angry words like “horrendous” and “painful.”
Why Koalas Are in Danger
- Habitat loss shrinks leafy haven
- Disease (especially chlamydia) takes a toll
- Dog attacks, bushfires, and accidental collisions with vehicles
A 2012 national count estimated 330,000 koalas. But the head‑high, tree‑top wildlife is hard to get a precise grip on.
More Mutilations Sunset the Sanctification
Last year, a Victorian kangaroo was shot, dressed in leopard‑print, a bottle of Ouzo at its side. And earlier this year, a koala in Warrnambool had its ears clipped, part of a spate of eerie animal mutilations.
All told, the world of Aussie marsupials is feeling like a reality show plucked from the darkest limbo. The hope is that justice will cut through the cruelty — or at minimum, a slap, not a sewn‑up punishment.
