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File photo of an adorable koala. Jens Meyer

Australian police stop woman in the street, find koala in her bag

The marsupial was handed to the RSPCA, an animal protection charity, which named him Alfred.

AUSTRALIAN POLICE UNCOVERED a baby koala hidden in the bag of a woman they stopped in the street.

The 50-year-old, who was being spoken to on unrelated matters, stunned Brisbane officers when she revealed she had the creature in her canvas satchel.

“Not quite believing their ears, the officers cautiously unzipped the bag and found this gorgeous boy,” Queensland police said.

“The koala — believed to be about six months of age — seemed to be in good health, although a bit dehydrated.”

The woman claimed she found the joey, which is protected under the Nature Conservation Act, on Saturday night and had been caring for it since.

The marsupial was handed to the RSPCA, an animal protection charity, which named him Alfred.

“He’s been on fluids but is doing well and will shortly be going out to a carer,” said RSPCA spokesperson Michael Beatty.

The woman was subsequently arrested over “outstanding matters”, police said.

The much-loved koala has been under increasing threat across Australia in recent decades, particularly from habitat loss, disease, dog attacks and bushfires.

A 2012 national count placed total koala numbers at 330,000, though their tree-top habitat makes accurate assessment difficult.

- © AFP, 2016

Read: US-backed troops launch offensive on Islamic State “capital” in Syria

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    Mute thomas patrick
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    Feb 26th 2020, 3:03 PM

    Why not let them through and follow them ?

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    Mute George Salter
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    Feb 26th 2020, 3:07 PM

    @thomas patrick: Perhaps the estimated value mightn’t be realistic, and they get caught out?

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    Mute Paddington
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    Feb 26th 2020, 3:31 PM

    @thomas patrick: Maybe there wasn’t a legitimate name and address on the package in order to obtain a search warrant for the premises.

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    Mute Mr Jerry Curtin (gurrier)
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    Feb 26th 2020, 3:14 PM

    I wonder will it last long in the evidence room ?

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    Mute Punters Pal
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    Feb 26th 2020, 3:17 PM

    I am off to the dam at the weekend oh I will be blazing

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    Mute Aaron Jones
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    Feb 26th 2020, 9:30 PM

    @Punters Pal: yeah must get out there been awhile,was thinking about going on me Todd this time tho?

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    Mute Clint
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    Feb 26th 2020, 5:54 PM

    Great!Now no one will get the dastardly munchies or think the police are outside the house.

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    Mute Shauna Christie
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    Feb 26th 2020, 9:22 PM

    Fantastic news another little bit off our streets maybe stop someone’s child from trying this dirt !!

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    Mute Frank Discussion
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    Feb 26th 2020, 8:21 PM

    No one cares anymore just decriminalise no one is gonna stop doing it thta wants to do it en dof story

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    Mute Shauna Christie
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    Feb 26th 2020, 9:23 PM

    Fantastic news another little bit off our streets maybe stop someone’s child from trying them and getting hooked !

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    Mute Aaron Jones
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    Feb 26th 2020, 9:33 PM

    @Shauna Christie: if it’s full of chemicals yeah young ones will get hooked

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    Mute Aaron Jones
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    Feb 26th 2020, 9:26 PM

    If it’s comes via Spain it’ll be that sprayed guff rotten cheap crap!

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