This Koala Joey Never Leaves His Mother's Side, Even During Life-Saving Surgery
Some animal stories hit harder than others, and this one about a koala joey and his injured mother is especially hard to forget.
After Lizzy was struck by a car on the Warrego Highway near Coominya, rescuers found her 6-month-old joey, Phantom, still tucked safely in her pouch. The pair were rushed to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, where Lizzy needed urgent surgery for serious injuries, and nobody wanted to separate the two if it could be avoided.
What happened next turned a rescue into something even more touching.
Koalas are an iconic animal native to Australia.
They’re marsupials, mammals that have a pouch for the development of their young, not “bears,” as they’re commonly called.
Koalas live in the eucalyptus forests of southeastern and eastern Australia. They rely on these eucalyptus trees for both food and shelter.
Phantom has quite the concern for his mom.
The word koala comes from the Aboriginal language Dharug word “gula” meaning “no water.” It was initially believed that these animals could survive without needing to drink water, as they were rarely seen coming down from their eucalyptus trees.
It turns out that the leaves of the eucalyptus tree have a high water content, so the koala does not need to drink often. Aside from the high water content, eucalyptus is also toxic!
The koala’s digestive system works hard to break down the eucalyptus leaves. After processing the toxins, they are left with limited nutrients, resulting in very little energy.
The actual sweetest sleepy face
Because they get so little energy from their diet, koalas must limit their energy use. They have been known to sleep or rest for up to 18 to 22 hours a day.
Phantom was doing his best to stay close through all of it.
Phantom being the very best emotional support joey.
Koalas are mostly active at night and spend the majority of their waking hours eating. (Same though)
No bed like Mom
The 6-month-old baby remained firmly attached to his mother’s side for support even after surgery, including all the follow-up treatments needed to ensure a full recovery.
Lizzy and Phantom's successful recovery is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the team at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. This facility has become a sanctuary for over 10,000 koalas since opening its doors in 2004, highlighting its vital role in wildlife conservation. The dedication to rehabilitation and care not only aids individual animals but also plays an essential part in preserving biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem health. This story serves as a reminder of the importance of such institutions in protecting our natural world. Be sure to share this heartwarming tale with your friends and family.
And if you think Phantom’s concern is intense, see the koala’s profound reaction after losing its companion.
Phantom in his special pouch
"Phantom is with Lizzy during her procedures and check-ups to ensure neither mum nor bub gets stressed out," the hospital said. "Similarly, Phantom is in a 'pouch' during weighing to ensure he feels safe and protected while away from mum."
Their care led to a full recovery
"It's so rewarding to see patients like Lizzy getting better," vet nurse Jamie-Lynn Hevers added.
That rescue turned into a full recovery for both of them.
Lizzy gets to do the cuddling now.
Now that she's fully healed, Lizzy and Phantom were safely released back into nature.
Check out the videos below to see how endearing their bond is.
After Phantom’s mom-focused surgery fears, watch a kangaroo mom tenderly hug her baby, going viral online.
Share this article:
