Baby koala found in woman's backpack after traffic stop in Brisbane
A baby koala was found in a woman's backpack after she was arrested during a routine traffic stop. The joey was named Alfred while in the care of the police, and has been put on fluids as the RSPCA finds him a carer.
As officers searched her they asked if she had anything to declare.
She handed over a zipped green canvas bag and said there was a joey inside that she had found the night before and she was looking after it.
The koala, believed to be about six months old, was taken to a police station in Brisbane, Australia, to be cared for until an official carer can be found.
RSPCA Queensland spokesman Michael Beatty said: "He's been on fluids but is doing well and will shortly be going out to a carer. He weighs 1.5kg and we've called him Alfred."
He said if anyone found a koala they should not try to hold it.
Mr Beatty said: "Often the animal may have no obvious signs of injury but it can have internal injuries that need immediate attention."
The 50-year-old woman with the koala was arrested by police at Wishart in Brisbane and is being questioned about "outstanding matters".