Terrified koala gets stuck up a pole for two days during heatwave

A terrified koala stuck up a pole for two days during a heatwave has sparked concerns about their loss of habitat.

In a video shared by Darling Downs rescue service Return to the Wild, the adorable marsupial is spotted being attacked by magpies and barked at by dogs as it clings to the pole aside a busy road. 

Return to the Wild founder Clare Gover said the footage was recorded during the heatwave in January, The Chronicle reported. 

A koala stuck up a pole for two days during a heatwave has sparked concerns about their loss of habitat 

Ms Gover said the adorable animal was trying to move away from the scorching heat as traffic passed nearby. 

The koala is believed to have been living in trees close to McDougall St, in Glenvale, where the high levels of traffic had made it difficult for koalas to get over the road. 

She thought the koala perhaps ventured up the tree in search of some eucalyptus leaves. 

Ergon Energy staff assisted in the recovery of the adorable koala who had to use a cherry picker to the right location. 

‘She was extremely dehydrated and heat stressed from the high temperatures,’ she said.

 WWF-Australia said the clearing of suburban trees may effect young animals

The koala was given fluids, a fresh leaf and was looked after overnight. 

‘She started eating straight away, so when we released her the next day she was healthy.’ 

As development in Toowoomba continues Ms Gover believes it is impacting koalas and other wildlife.

WWF-Australia conservation scientist Dr Martin Taylor said the clearing of suburban trees may effect young animals. 

The adorable marsupial is spotted being attacked by magpies and barked at before it was rescued 

‘Outside of Queensland’s cities and towns, the destruction of bushland happens on a vast scale in places where there are no rescuers like Clare to pick up the pieces,’ Dr Taylor said.

He estimates tree-clearing killed more than 5,000 koalas between 2012 and mid-2016.