The Grandpa Giving Koalas a Proper Talking-To: Why Terry's Viral Rescue Is Both Heartwarming and Heartbreaking

When 82-year-old Terry stepped out of his car on Queensland's busy Beaudesert-Beenleigh Road and gave a wayward koala the talking-to of its life, he had no idea he was about to become Australia's newest folk hero. But behind the laughs and the viral fame lies a sobering truth that every Australian needs to understand.

The footage of Terry scolding the furry wanderer like a misbehaving grandchild has captured hearts nationwide, but it also highlights a much more serious issue facing our iconic marsupials. What started as a delightful slice of Australiana has become a window into one of our country's most pressing conservation crises.

Terry's gentle but firm approach - 'I was telling him not to scratch because I'm trying to help him, and the little mongrel just kept scratching' - might have been pure instinct, but he actually did almost everything right. His story isn't just a feel-good moment; it's an unintentional masterclass in wildlife rescue that more of us might need to know about.

What Terry Got Right (And What We Can Learn)

What Terry did instinctively aligned remarkably well with expert recommendations. While his gentle scolding was pure personality, his hands-on approach was spot on. Wildlife experts suggest that the best way to grab a koala is to pick them up by their hands, almost like a monkey, so they can't grip onto you.

Terry's quick thinking and confidence were crucial. Koalas may look cuddly, but they have powerful claws and can inflict serious scratches when frightened. His calm, assured handling likely prevented the animal from panicking further.

However, professional rescuers emphasise that when a rescue is carried out successfully, there is no direct human contact with the koala. Instead, they use a capture bag and carry basket only. This is for the health and safety of rescuers in addition to the wellbeing and respect for the wild koala.

The Sobering Reality Behind the Viral Moment

While we're all laughing at Terry's stern words, the reality behind koala road encounters is sobering. The numbers are staggering and heartbreaking.

Throughout 2023, researchers counted 145 otherwise healthy koalas struck and killed along a 51-kilometre stretch of highway in Central Queensland. This is a huge figure. By contrast, an average of 365 koalas are admitted to veterinary hospitals each year after being hit by a vehicle across the entire south-east Queensland region.

To put this in perspective: researchers tracking a single stretch of highway found that 145 otherwise healthy koalas were struck and killed along just 51 kilometres in 2023 alone. That's nearly three koalas every week on just one road.

The koala population dropped a reported 30% from 2018 to 2021. In February 2022, the koala was listed as 'ENDANGERED' in Queensland, NSW and the ACT under the EPBC Act. As at March 2024, the latest estimate of population size for koalas in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory is between 95,000 and 238,000.

Why Koalas End Up on Our Roads

Understanding why koalas end up on roads helps explain why Terry's rescue was so necessary. Studies have shown that koalas will travel across areas dangerous to them, such as roads and open spaces, to seek suitable feed trees, a mate, or their own territory when they are at their most vulnerable.

Despite being tree dwellers who spend over 20 hours sleeping, koalas don't swing from branch to branch like monkeys. When they need to move between trees, they come down to ground level and walk slowly and deliberately, making them sitting ducks for passing traffic.

The timing makes it even more dangerous. Koalas are most active at night and around dawn and dusk, precisely when drivers' visibility is poor. Add in breeding season behaviour, when young males are searching for territory and mates, and you have a perfect storm for road encounters.

Safety Tips for Senior Drivers

As experienced drivers, we know the roads can be unpredictable, but wildlife encounters require special consideration. Here's what safety experts recommend:

Avoid driving at dawn and dusk because native wildlife generally come out to feed at these times. Scan the road and verges ahead of you as you drive. Animals such as kangaroos, wombats and koalas are most active at dawn and dusk and are known to wander onto roads.

Whenever possible, do not drive at night outside of towns and major cities. A lot of Australian wildlife comes out at night - especially kangaroos. Kangaroos move around more at night than they do in the day. Dawn and dusk are the times to really be on the lookout.

When you drive slower in poor visibility, where bushland comes right up to the edge of the road or where animals are known to roam, you'll give yourself a better chance of avoiding a collision with an animal - which can save the life of the animal and possibly prevent injury to you and damage to your vehicle. Whenever you can when driving, use your high beam lights so that you can see the sides of the roads better and further down the road at night.

If You Encounter Wildlife on the Road

If the koala is still on the road, it is imperative that you stay in a safe location. Turn your car hazard lights on and do not try to move the koala off the road if it is not safe to do so. Remember human safety must always be the first priority.

If you encounter an injured animal during a drive, you're best off calling a local wildlife rescue organisation for support. An experienced koala rescuer will provide you with further instructions based on the circumstances. If the koala appears to be injured or shows signs of disease, please telephone your local wildlife rescue organisation so that a specialised koala rescuer can assess the animal.

If you're confident about helping and it's safe to do so, if possible, place a blanket, towel or jumper over the koala. This not only reduces stress but also helps to discourage the koala from wandering off. Do not put the koala in your car unless instructed by a wildlife volunteer. Koalas that have been hit by cars will often be disorientated and appear placid but they can regain their senses quickly and pose a serious risk to the occupants of the car.

The Heroes Working Around the Clock

Terry isn't alone in his commitment to native wildlife. Queensland has an extensive network of dedicated volunteers working around the clock. Koala Rescue Queensland is a not-for-profit 24-hour rescue service for sick, injured and orphaned koalas throughout Queensland.

The commitment of these volunteers is remarkable. They regularly work late into the night, responding to calls about injured animals, often dealing with heartbreaking situations. During peak times, some volunteers report rescuing multiple animals per week, with vehicle strikes being one of the most common calls.

During one 24-hour period recently, one volunteer came to the aid of seven koalas - three were hit by cars. One died in her arms. This is the reality facing our wildlife carers every single day.

What You Can Do to Help

The koala crisis won't be solved by viral videos alone, but there are practical ways we can all contribute:

Report wildlife sightings: Two koala sighting mobile apps have been released to help researchers track population numbers and movement patterns.

Support wildlife organisations: Many rescue groups are entirely volunteer-run and rely on donations for equipment, veterinary care, and vehicle costs.

Be a wildlife-aware driver: Every careful driver potentially saves lives. For drivers, especially those in rural and semi-rural areas, wildlife encounters are inevitable. The key is being prepared and knowing how to respond when you spot an animal on the road.

Share the knowledge: Talk to family and friends about wildlife safety. The more people know what to do, the better outcomes we'll have.