Friends of the Koala in Lismore have received a licence to operate the first specialised koala hospital in the Northern Rivers region, after IFAW sponsored veterinarian Dr Jackie Reed was approved as Superintendent Vet.

"We are now a fully functioning veterinarian hospital," Dr Reed said.

Dr Reed explained that the centre receives over 400 koalas a year with more than 150 koalas coming through the centre within the four short months she had been in Lismore. 

It was the 'sheer need' for a koala hospital in Lismore that drew her here after working interstate and with Northern Koalas. 

"Friends of the Koala didn't have a vet onsite and with the amount of koala's coming through a vet was really required.

"We can tend to the animals here now, we have x-ray and ultrasound equipment, all the medications and a vet nurse. 

"This means that we don't have to send already traumatised animals to the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital which is an hour and a half away ... we can tend to them here now."

Acting President of Friends of the Koala, Susannah Keogh is excited about the development.

“We have been working toward becoming a licenced koala hospital for many years, so are thrilled to finally be able carry out immediate veterinary care and procedures onsite,”

Ms Keogh added that the approval of their licence has come at a good time with their vet team tending to six koalas over the weekend that had been hit by motorists. 

“We could also potentially be receiving fire victims in the coming days from the recent fires in Tweed. 

"The one positive of these events is the fact that these koalas can now receive immediate specialised veterinary care.”

 As peak koala season begins, members of the public are reminded that koalas will be on the move in the region.

"Males will be out and about looking for a mate," Dr Reed said.

"A lot of the koalas have been injured on the roads and also we're seeing a lot of koalas being attacked by dogs.

"We're asking the public if they have dogs to please watch them and if you come across an injured koala call our hotline on 6622 1233," Dr Reed said.

Due to COVID19 the centre is closed to the public at this time but will reopen when safe to do so.