The other day while driving I spotted something up ahead running along the edge of the road, cars whizzing past. I thought it was a dog at first but as I got closer I noticed it was a koala. Koalas are gorgeous creatures but due to habitat destruction, disease and natural disasters they are slowly becoming rarer and rarer.
As with pretty much all the animals I see on or near the road I pulled over and tried to prevent her from running across the road. As I herded her toward the trees I noticed a tiny little lump of fur clinging to her back.
Seeing a koala isn't the most common occurance but seeing a baby koala is even rarer and it was so cool to see up close. I was hoping to help her cross the road where the treeline is thicker and she would be less likely to get back onto the road but unfortunately she had ideas of her own and started climbing a tree.
She stopped only a few feet up and was looking at me as I tried to take some photos of her and her baby. She didn't seem concerned or threatened but you can never really tell with wild animals or when that might change in a second. Koalas have incredibly strong claws for climbing and holding onto trees all day, sharp as well and the last thing you want is them climbing you like a tree so I kept a reasonable distance so not to frighten her.
It was pretty awesome to see a baby koala with its mother and I may not see it again for many years so I'm also glad I got some nice photos of the two of them.
I always try and help the animals that are near roads, they don't understand our ways and it only takes a few seconds to stop and try and help them avoid an incident. Given how little wildlife is left every thing we can do to help counts so if you see an animal near the road please slow down even if you don't stop to herd it away.