Adopt NowDonate
  • Support Us
  • Get involved
  • What we do
  • About us
Back

2 Mar 2021

IN PHOTOS: ANNIE AND FRANKIE RETURN TO THE WILD

We’ve been following koalas Annie and Frankie on their recovery journey since they were found in Mallacoota, Victoria suffering from burns during the catastrophic Australian bushfires of 2019-20.

Thanks to the incredible and overwhelming donations from WWF supporters in Australia and around the world, we were able to provide funds that helped them and other koalas in their recovery process, including the construction of three rehabilitation enclosures at Phillip Island Nature Parks.

Now, almost one year on, these two koalas have finally returned home to the wild.

Take a look at some of the stirring photos of their release!

Join our mission to Regenerate Australia and help us save more koalas like Annie and Frankie! One Signature = One Tree Planted.

Take action now

Annie

Annie the koala was rescued in Mallacoota in January 2020 with severe burns to the pads of her feet. With the help of supporters, WWF-Australia was able to provide emergency funds to Zoos Victoria, enabling specialist critical care treatment for koalas like Annie.

Four months after, she was transported to Phillip Island Nature Parks for rehabilitation at the new enclosure our supporters helped fund.

At the end of 2020, Annie joined fourteen other koalas returning home to the wild.

 

Annie the koala during a health check and fitting of a radio tracking collar prior to her release.
Annie the koala during a health check and fitting of a radio tracking collar prior to her release. © Zoos Victoria
Annie the koala is released back into the wild at a site near Mallacoota, Victoria
Annie the koala is released back into the wild at a site near Mallacoota, Victoria © Zoos Victoria
Annie the koala finds a tree after being released into the wild
© Zoos Victoria

Frankie

Frankie the koala was also rescued from the devastating Mallacoota fires. He had singed ears and was treated by specialist vets and carers, and after intensive treatment was transported to Phillip Island Nature Parks in March 2020.

During his time at the rehabilitation enclosure, his fur grew back and he built a lot of confidence and strength, climbing trees and eating lots of food!

In December 2020, he was released back to the wild in Mallacoota.

Frankie the koala pre-release
Frankie the koala pre-release © Zoos Victoria

Frankie the koala at the semi-wild rehabilitation enclosure after his radio tracking collar fitting, ready to be released.

Frankie the koala is released back into the wild
Frankie the koala is released back into the wild © Zoos Victoria

Free at last! Frankie takes his first steps back home.

Frankie the koala climbs a tree after his release
Frankie the koala climbs a tree after his release © Zoos Victoria

We wish Annie and Frankie all the best as they settle back into their forest home. Protecting their forest habitat has never been more important, as we work to double the number of koalas on Australia’s east coast by 2050.

Find out how you can help save koalas by signing up for Regenerate Australia.

A signature = A tree planted

Can’t get enough? Take a look at some of the other koalas that were also released back into Mallacoota in the video below!