Murray first came to our attention in early February 2006. Judy rang the rescue hotline to say a koala was nearby with very bad wet bottom. Warwick and I went down to check it out.

The koala was a girl in very bad condition with cystitis. Nearby we spotted another two koalas, one of which was Murray. Murray also showed signs of cystitis. Our first attempts at catching them were unsuccessful and we gave up after 10mins otherwise we would have caused them too much stress. After a few more trips and help from a neighbour, both koalas were captured and taken to the Care Centre. Murray was named after the man whose property he came from.

After a visit to the vet, treatment for cystitis started. Murray also had small ulcers on his private parts, which were very painful. His treatment included having his bottom washed every morning and a medication applied, daily injections of antibiotics, a daily nutritional supplement along with freshly picked leaf of several varieties.

‘Bum washes’ as we call them are quite enjoyable for the koala with cystitis. We place warm water in an ice cream container and gently manoeuvre the koala to put their bottom into the water. The first few times are sometimes a little difficult, but after a while koalas look forward to and enjoy them.

Murray quickly realised how comforting the warm wash was for his very sore bum and we all enjoyed giving him his morning bath. After a couple of weeks, he began to resist us taking away the ice cream container, he would push himself down into the warm water and curl himself over so it was hard for us to get him out.

Eventually after six weeks, his treatment was complete and he was ready for release, a very different looking koala from the one we first saw.

Warwick and I were very excited to be the ones to release him. We placed him into a rescue box, and drove him back to the property where he came from.

Murray was very pleased to be back in his familiar surroundings. He went a few metres up the gum and then looked back down at us. Almost like saying thankyou. He continued to climb up to the top of the tree and then settled down to some serious leaf eating. We left him nibbling away on red gum tips.

Koala care is very rewarding and satisfying when you are involved in the results that we achieve at the Care Centre.

Murray became a favourite of all the carers but we were all happy to know that he was back in the wild a healthy koala due to our work.

Written by carer Kay Sherring