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PHOTOS: Australian Police Find Baby Koala In A Backpack

A Queensland police officer holds a baby koala that was picked up after a woman was arrested during a traffic stop in Wishart, Queensland, Australia.
Queensland Police Service
A Queensland police officer holds a baby koala that was picked up after a woman was arrested during a traffic stop in Wishart, Queensland, Australia.

An adorable koala in a backpack — it's what you didn't know you needed during the final stretch of the exhausting U.S. presidential race.

Police found this bundle of joy in the town of Wishart in Queensland, Australia, during a traffic stop Sunday night.

The koala was found during a traffic stop in Queensland, Australia.
/ Queensland Police Service
/
Queensland Police Service
The koala was found during a traffic stop in Queensland, Australia.

Authorities said in a statement that the officers asked the 50-year-old driver if she had anything to declare. She then mentioned that she had a baby koala in her bag.

"Not quite believing their ears the officers cautiously un-zipped the bag and found this gorgeous boy," the police said.

They added that the woman, who was subsequently arrested "on outstanding matters," said she found the little guy the night before and was taking care of him herself.

The police have since turned the koala over to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals — but not before he tried to give typing a shot at the police station.

Authorities say they're calling the young koala "Alfred."
/ Queensland Police Service
/
Queensland Police Service
Authorities say they're calling the young koala "Alfred."

The young koala is thought to be about 6 months old and appears to be healthy, though he was dehydrated.

"He's been on fluids but is doing well and will shortly be going out to a carer," Queensland RSPCA spokesperson Michael Beatty said in a statement. "He weighs 1.5 kg [about 3.3 pounds.] and we've called him Alfred."

A koala also happens to be the mascot of the Queensland Police Service. Fun fact: Like baby kangaroos, baby koalas are also called "joeys."

Police say the joey appears to be in good health.
/ Queensland Police Service
/
Queensland Police Service
Police say the joey appears to be in good health.

The police are urging people who find koalas to turn them over to authorities, rather than try to take care of them themselves. "Often the animal may have no obvious signs of injury but it can have internal injuries that need immediate attention," they say.

Koalas are protected in parts of Australia, including in Queensland, where they have been designated as "vulnerable" under the Nature Conservation Act.

Of course, koalas are wild animals. Last year, The Two-Way reported on one koala with a particularly wild side that chased a terrified dairy farmer. She captured the incident on video:

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Merrit Kennedy is a reporter for NPR's News Desk. She covers a broad range of issues, from the latest developments out of the Middle East to science research news.

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The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

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