By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
WHEN the Mills family woke up last Friday, they found an intruder in their Beaconsfield backyard.
Liz and Norm and their kids Darcy, Madelyn and Ellena were surprised to discover a large koala clinging to a pole outside their house.
Although there are many trees on their property, located at the top of Payne Road, Beaconsfield, they had never spotted a koala before.
A tag on the animal’s ear read ‘F.I.’, identifying him as a koala that was relocated from French Island.
“I believe some time ago there was overpopulation on French Island, so some were moved onto the mainland,” Liz said.
Not wanting to disturb the koala, Liz took the day off work to make sure the family dogs were kept out of its way.
She also contacted a wildlife specialist, who said the animal may have been involved in a dispute with another male, causing him to approach the house.
Concerned that the koala was dehydrated, Liz and her family approached him with water and soaked eucalyptis leaves.
It was around 10pm that night when the koala disappeared from the house, but he hadn’t gone far – Liz spotted him the following day in a tree about 20 metres from his previous spot.
Koalas usually stay within a four kilometre radius, so Liz says it’s likely their friendly friend is still in the area.
“We couldn’t believe how relaxed he was,” she said.
“He even let my daughter pick a couple of ticks off his nose.”
