A couple in Australia had a surprising encounter when they found a koala in their bedroom. Fran Dias Rufino, who is originally from Brazil, was scared, happy, and excited all at once when she saw the marsupial in their home. She shared the unexpected moment on Instagram, expressing how speechless she was and noting that this kind of thing could only happen in Australia.
The video shows the koala sitting on the floor beside the bed, looking at Fran and her husband, Brunno, before climbing onto a bedside table and then onto the bed. Fran mentioned feeling nervous and worried about how they would get the koala out of the house.
Koalas are typically found in eucalyptus trees and are mainly located on Australia’s east and southeast coasts. Unfortunately, they are endangered in some parts of the country due to various reasons like disease, drought, bushfires, and land clearing. In South Australia, where the couple lives, koala numbers are stable and populations are being managed to protect their habitat.
After trying to guide the koala out with a sweater, Brunno eventually used a blanket to help it find its way to the door. Fran recalls seeing koalas in her area before, speculating that this one might have snuck in through the pet door. While southern koalas are faring well, there are concerns about the declining populations of koalas along the east coast due to disease and habitat loss.
In 2022, a national recovery plan was launched to help save the wild koala populations, but a recent report suggests that their long-term survival prospects remain poor. Despite the challenges, efforts are being made to protect these iconic Australian animals and ensure they have a future in the wild.
