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Case Snapshot

Case ID: 18707

Classification: Shooting

Animal: other wildlife

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Young koala shot in every limb
Kippa-ring, Brisbane, QLD (AU)

Incident Date: Thursday, Oct 13, 2011

Disposition: Open
Case Images: 5 files available

Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!

Australia Zoo vets will today operate on a koala found overnight with seven slug gun pellets lodged in its body.

In what is being described as one of the most sickening acts of animal cruelty, the koalas has been shot in every limb.

The Courier-Mail reports the six-year-old male was found at a remote location at Kippa-Ring on Brisbane's north side after being shot some time last week.

Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital vet Dr Amber Gillett last night examined the koala, dubbed Fleet, and placed him on antibiotics, pain relief and fluids.

Dr Gillett said Fleet had been suffering with his wounds for up to a week.

"He's been shot from every side,'' she said.

Fortunately, the slug pellets are small and not lodged too deeply so should be easily removed.

But the koala has a big laceration on his nose which the vet suspects is a graze injury from one of the pellets.

There is on pellet in the skull which will not be removed because it is too deep to go in.

Authorities have urged anyone with information to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The maximum penalty for harming a koala is $300,000 or two years in jail.

Last year, the koala shooting drama was closer to home when an injured koala joey was found by a member of the public near Kenilworth.

The koala joey was transported to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital by the Australia Zoo Rescue Unit where Dr Gillett was waiting to assess the youngster.

Assessment revealed the joey had sustained a fractured skull and significant damage to the stomach and intestines as result of result of being shot with what appears to be the spray of a shot gun.

X-rays revealed approximately 15 pellets scattered throughout her body.

Frodo underwent two series of surgery in an attempt to remove pellets from her body.

Dr Gillett was able to remove seven pellets from various parts of her body, one of which was located in the skull throughout the two surgeries.

If you have information on this case, please contact:
Crime Stoppers
1800 333 000

References

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