When mama koala Lizzy was hit by a car near Brisbane, Australia with her joey Phantom in her pouch, she was luckily brought to people that could help her.
The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital determined that Phantom was “miraculously” OK and uninjured because he was safely tucked in mom’s pouch.
But the same couldn’t be said for Phantom’s mom.
The hospital found that Lizzy had facial trauma.
She also had a collapsed lung that required life-saving surgery.
“There were grave concerns for Lizzy when she came in but thankfully she was able to be stabilised,” RSPCA Qld Wildlife Coordinator Lee Pirini told Brisbane Times.
Lizzy’s faithful 6-month-old son refused to leave his mom’s side during her surgery.
He even hugged her the entire time.
“Phantom is with Lizzy during her procedures and check ups to ensure neither mum nor bub get stressed out,” the hospital said, according to ABC News.
“Similarly, Phantom is in a ‘pouch’ during weighing to ensure he feels safe and protected while away from mum.”
Pictures of this sweet baby clinging to his mother quickly went viral online.
The world watched with bated breath to see how the family would fare.
“[The] infamous koala duo from the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital have now been released back to the wild near Ipswich in Queensland, where they were originally found,” a hospital press release said, according to TODAY.
Before being sent back to the wild, the koala family had to be cleared medically and given a “clean bill of health.”
They were also tagged and microchipped.
“It’s so rewarding to see patients like Lizzy getting better,” vet nurse Jamie-Lynn Hevers said.
The entire hospital staff was overjoyed to see the family doing well and getting ready to be released back into the wild.
“There’s nothing more rewarding than achieving a successful rehabilitation for these two beautiful koalas,” Dr. Rebecca Millers, who cared for the two koalas during Lizzy’s recovery, told 9 News.
“They weren’t with us for long but in the short time we had them, we all fell completely in love with this adorable pair.”
The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital has treated more than 58,000 wild animals.
They usually get an influx of injured koalas between August and February.
This is because they are more active during warmer weather.
“Sadly, great outcomes like these do not happen often enough, and with trauma season just around the corner, it is paramount that organizations such as Australia Zoo and RSPCA QLD work closely together to achieve the best possible outcomes for all wildlife,” said Pirini.
“I would personally like to thank the vets and nurses at Australia Zoo for their support and expertise and of course we look forward to working together on future cases as they arise.”
But everyone is still cheering for Lizzy and Phantom’s great outcome.
“Phantom was very affectionate, clinging to his mum for comfort during her procedure, but soon after, Lizzy was the one doing all the cuddling,” Millers said. “We hope they continue their loving relationship as they settle back into life in the wild.”
Click to see the adorable duo in the video below!
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