A curious koala has wandered into a house in South Australia and climbed up the family Christmas tree in the living room, perching cutely on one of the tree’s plastic branches.
TheĀ AdelaideĀ and Hills Koala Rescue charity detailed the koala’s Christmas adventure on its Facebook page this evening after the homeowner called for help after finding the koala amongst her festive baubles.
At first, the rescue group “thought it was a prank call”.
“But no, a koala desperate to get in the Christmas spirit had wandered into Amanda’s house and decided it wanted to be the fairy on the Christmas tree,” it said.
In comments on the post, rescuers confirmed the koala was a female āwho appeared to be quite at home in the tree despite it being entirely made of plastic.
“Koalas are very curious creatures and if the opportunity presents itself, they will investigate,” the team told 9News.com.au.
“We have rescued koalas in chicken coops, bathrooms, open inspections, children’s prams, bicycles, brooms, toy cars … but a Christmas tree is a first for us.”
But they said the woman did the right thing.
“The best thing to do if you find a koala in your own home is to call your local koala rescue right away.”
The charity, also known as 1300KOALAZ, runs a 24-hour hotline on the same number ā rescuing, rehabilitating, and returning koalas to the wild.