Baby koala in bag recovering well

A baby koala found by police in a woman's shoulder bag last week could soon be released into the wild.

a koala looks out from a handbag

A baby koala found by police in a woman's bag last week could soon be released into the wild. (AAP)

Alfred the baby koala, who was found by police in a woman's shoulder bag, is recovering well and will soon be released into the wild.

The joey, who is about a year old, was taken in by the RSPCA after officers made the surprising discovery last week at Wishart in Brisbane's southeast.

Alfred weighed about 1.5 kilograms when found and was slightly dehydrated but otherwise in good health.

He is being looked after at the Moggill Koala Hospital, which offers rehabilitation for sick, injured and orphaned koalas.

Environment Minister Dr Steven Miles, who went to visit Alfred on Saturday, said he will be released into the wild once fully recovered.

"We will ensure he's fully fit before releasing him and we also know he can't be kept in care too long in case it works against him fending for himself when back in his natural habitat," he added.

Senior Constable Rio Law, who found Alfred, described the shocking moment.

"It was such a surprise to find him we didn't quite believe it when the woman told us she had a koala in the bag," she added.


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Source: AAP



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