Imagine coming home after a long day, ready to sink into the comfort of your own bed, only to find it's already occupied—not by an uninvited guest of the human variety, but by a sleepy koala! This is exactly the kind of story that could only unfold in the land down under, where wildlife encounters are as Australian as Vegemite on toast.

In a truly 'Only in Australia' moment, an Adelaide couple experienced an unexpected twist to their bedtime routine. Francielle Dias Rufino and her husband Brunno returned to their Rosslyn Park home around 12:30 am to discover a koala had made itself quite at home in their bedroom. The furry intruder wasn't just anywhere in the room; it was snuggled up in their bed, catching some Z's.

The couple, who moved to Australia from Brazil two and a half years ago, were stunned by the sight. Francielle, in a moment of surprise and nervousness, reverted to her native Portuguese to alert her husband. 'I was so nervous that I forgot my English,' she said. Their dachshund cross beagle, seemingly unfazed by the new 'friend', was asleep in his dog bed just meters away.

Francielle spotted the koala rummaging through her drawers. Image Credit: Facebook/Francielle Dias Rufino

How did this koala manage to find its way into a locked house, you might wonder? The couple suspects the adventurous marsupial used the dog door to enter their abode. It's a reminder that our wildlife can be quite resourceful and that we should be mindful of securing pet doors to prevent such unexpected visitors.

In a video captured by the couple, the koala can be seen giving them a sleepy glance before it climbs up a bedside table and settles back into the bed. When all the animal rescue groups they called were closed, Brunno took matters into his own hands. He used a blanket to gently guide the koala towards the front door. The koala, perhaps a bit grumpy from being woken up, became slightly aggressive and attempted to bite him. 'Or maybe he wasn't happy because we woke him up,' Rufino laughed, showing understanding for the startled creature.

Despite the late-night surprise and the koala's brief show of temper, Francielle remains a lover of the animals and considered the visit 'a very nice surprise.' 'He was so cute. I love koalas,' she said, even extending an open invitation for the koala to return whenever it pleases.

Watch the full encounter here:

Source: TODAY/Facebook​

This adorable incident serves as a charming reminder of the close encounters with wildlife that many Australians may experience. It's a testament to the country's unique biodiversity and the often thin boundaries between human habitats and the natural world.

For our readers at the Seniors Discount Club, have you ever had a similar experience with Australia's native wildlife? Perhaps a possum in your pantry or a kangaroo in your garden? We'd love to hear your stories! And if you haven't yet, always remember to keep an eye out—you never know when you might find a koala curled up in your bed!

Remember, while these encounters can be delightful and make for great stories, it's important to handle any unexpected wildlife visits safely and humanely. If you find yourself in a similar situation, contact local wildlife rescues or authorities who can provide assistance in safely relocating the animal.

Key Takeaways

• An Adelaide couple discovered a koala asleep in their bed after returning home early in the morning.
• The koala had made its way into the house and their bedroom, possibly through the dog door.
• Francielle Dias Rufino, originally from Brazil, found the situation nerve-racking but ultimately endearing, allowing the koala to return anytime.
• The koala was eventually encouraged to leave the house with a blanket by her husband Brunno, although it showed some aggression possibly due to being woken up.

So, dear members, let's hear about your most memorable wildlife encounters. Share your tales in the comments below, and let's celebrate the quirky side of living in Australia, where the wild things aren't just in storybooks—they're sometimes right at home with us!

 

[Scaveola]

A possum came down the chimney once in my bedroom. We woke up when we heard scratching then it was running around, we opened the bedroom door and luckily it went out the front door. We see deer, echidnas, wallabies, bandicoots, all sorts of birds, including powerful owls, and of course snakes on our property but none have come inside yet!

 

[Penny4]

What a nice story. We have a possum that comes and goes. She often brings her latest baby to show us.

 

[MariaG]

Nothing that bears You Tube or morning News has entered my house.
My little pup Clyde does have a dislike for the little lizards that run around outside. He is like a hound dog keeping those under control. Luckily he is too slow to catch one.
Also, Clyde cornered a huge Huntsman in our hallway recently. He made a circle around it with his little paws and barked the loudest I have ever heard. When I investigated and did the glass over the critter thing to release it outside, my little Clyde pranced down the hall like the super hero puppy he is.
The dog in this story might have thought he was having a visit from a furry puppy dog. Quite amusing.

 

[deni67]

That is the cutest thing iv'e seen in a while.
We've had nothing like that here, we have several gum trees around us and I always look for them but no go yet.
I do love seeing the Magpies coming in for their nightly feed and the Kookaburras on the power lines are always a treat to see and hear.
We also have a big block of land across the street and some days it's covered in white, cockatoos come to feed there

 

[Penny4]

Here's a photo of our possum that visits. She's lovely.