A notorious koala known for breaking into a nursery and feasting on eucalypt seedlings has returned to his life of crime but this time with accomplices.
Claude the koala is a repeat offender of breaking into the Eastern Forest Nursery near Lismore in the NSW Northern Rivers region, where he eats the eucalypt seedlings which are grown for koala habitation restoration projects.
But now, Claude has brought along partners in crime – a mother carrying a joey – on four different nights in September and October to feast on the seedlings.
He was caught on a sensor camera set up by the World Wide Fund (WWF).
“I think Claude has introduced his partner and joey to the all-you-can-eat buffet, now that she’s eating for two,” nursery owner Humphrey Herington said.
Claude has become even more brazen in his crimes, breaking in during the daylight of a Saturday afternoon when no workers were around.
Even though Claude’s antics may be entertaining, his presence indicates more needs to be done to protect koala habitats.
“There’s a big problem behind his behaviour,” Herington said.
“We have a desperate need for more koala food trees. South Gundurimba where my nursery is located was heavily cleared in the past.”
WWF is working to plant seedlings around the nursery to help feed the koalas in the area.
