THE release of koalas back into the wild is always a milestone to be celebrated by the team at Port Stephens Koala Hospital.

Last weekend the team were able to release not one but two healthy koalas back into their ranges.

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Ron Land, President of Port Stephens Koalas, was joined by Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington, Port Stephens Councillor and Port Stephens Koala Hospital volunteer Leah Anderson, and Shadow Minister for Environment and Heritage Penny Sharpe to celebrate the release of the koalas.

In what seems like a rather undignified method of transportation, the koalas are placed in two washing baskets, one atop of the other with bedding.

For the release, the baskets are placed at an appropriate tree and the top basket is removed, allowing the koala to take its time to climb to safety.

Leah Anderson told News Of The Area, “Today was an early morning start with my regular Saturday Volunteer Koala shift at the Port Stephens Koala Hospital.”

After the yard work was completed Anderson, Washington, Land and Sharpe went to an undisclosed location for the koala releases.

“I had the pleasure of releasing two koalas today in the great company of Kate Washington MP and Penny Sharpe MLC.

“For the team at the Port Stephens Koala Hospital it’s what we do – rescue, rehabilitate and release,” Anderson explained.

For those looking to support the rescue and rehabilitation of our local koalas you can consider making a donation to the Port Stephens Koala Hospital or perhaps giving a koala adoption to a loved one as a special Christmas gift.

By Marian SAMPSON