Police surprised to find a baby koala inside arrested woman’s bag

It was a routine arrest in Brisbane, Australia, on Sunday night - until police officers discovered a baby koala in a zipped canvas bag that was handed over by a 50-year-old woman before she was taken to the police station.





Officers from the Upper Mount Gravatt Tactical Crime Squad stopped the woman who was wanted on outstanding matters in Wishart at about 9:00pm. When asked if she had anything to declare before she was taken into custody, the woman handed over a green canvas bag and said it contained a koala. When the disbelieving officer unzipped the bag, the baby marsupial emerged.





The woman told police she found the koala nearby and was caring for it. Police are still investigating the claim and the woman has not been charged for any offence in relation to the joey. The koala was picked up from the Brisbane City watch house by the RSPCA Ambulance. RSPCA spokesman Michael Beatty said it was about six months old and in good health despite being a little dehydrated.





"He's been on fluids but is doing well and will shortly be going out to a carer," Mr Beatty said. "He weighs 1.5kg and we've called him Alfred." Mr Beatty said anyone who finds a koala should not to attempt to handle it. "Please call our animal emergency hotline," he said. "Often the animal may have no obvious signs of injury but it can have internal injuries that need immediate attention."