Dog walker Nell pulls koala joey from python's grip in Brisbane reserve

The encounter

A woman walking her dog through Whites Hill Reserve in Camp Hill, Brisbane, came across a koala joey being constricted by a python on Tuesday, 3 November. Footage filmed that day shows the mother koala pawing at the snake. The woman, named as Nell in the reports, told ABC News that she heard a commotion among the birds and ran towards it, where she saw the joey looking at her while its mother struck the python.

The rescue

Nell picked up the joey and began untangling the python, which she estimated at about 1.5 metres long. With the snake in one hand, she carried the joey on her left shoulder, where it clung to her and cried. A man passing through the reserve offered help and took charge of her dog when she asked, but he declined to hold the snake. Nell placed the python in a small tree, checked that the joey had no injuries and could move its limbs and breathe normally, then carried it to the tree where its mother was waiting. The joey climbed up quickly to reunite with her.

Aftermath

Nell said she then carried the python coiled on her arm for some distance, far enough to stop it returning to the animals. When she went back to the reserve a couple of hours later, she found the mother and joey embracing. She confirmed that the python appeared to be unharmed. According to BBC reporting, Nell was not injured by the snake but sustained several scratches and bites from the distressed joey. She told local media she hoped the video of the rescue would encourage people to volunteer and push government bodies to make life safer for koalas.

Wildlife guidance and koala status

Queensland's government has published strict guidelines on approaching native wildlife and reminds people to seek expert advice before handling animals. Koalas are listed as endangered in parts of Australia, where they are threatened by habitat loss and disease.