Special koala treat for international passengers to raise awareness for sick and injured animals

Koalas rescued by Fauna Rescue of SA will visit Adelaide Airport today to welcome arriving international passengers, in an initiative with Adelaide Airport and Emirates Leisure Retail (which operates the Hudsons Coffee chain in Australia) to raise the plight of injured and orphaned koalas in the State.

Passengers will be able to meet the koalas – Waratah, Linden, Uni Girl, Aragorn and Arwen - and talk to their carers in the (outdoor) Thomas Cooper Bar directly adjacent the international arrivals area between 8am and 12.30pm.

Airport visitors will also be offered free koala cupcake tastings, while Hudsons Coffee will donate money from purchases on the day to Fauna Rescue of SA’s Koala Fund. The Hudsons Coffee chain will also continue to support the foundation with a collection tin located on the counters of their retail outlets on both levels of Adelaide Airport.

WHAT: Koalas rescued by Fauna Rescue of SA to greet arriving international passengers

WHEN:  8.00am to 12.30pm, Monday 28 April 2014

WHERE: Thomas Cooper Bar – adjacent international arrivals
             Ground Level, Adelaide Airport T1

Fauna Rescue of SA Chairperson, Liz MacGuiness said the koala ‘meet and greet’ at Adelaide Airport was a great opportunity to raise awareness about the hundreds of sick, injured or orphaned koalas who need care and attention before being released back into the wild.

“Fauna Rescue is SA’s largest wildlife rescue organisation caring for sick, injured and orphaned koalas,” Ms MacGuiness said.

“Our carers can receive up to 20 calls per day for koalas in need. All koalas that are rescued must undergo veterinary tests, and we need help to pay vet bills, as well as funds to obtain more equipment such as flagging poles, koala rescue cages and to build koala enclosures.

“We are a non-profit voluntary organisation and do not receive any government funding. We rely solely on the generous donations of the public and fundraising opportunities such as today’s event.”

For more details on Fauna Rescue of SA, go to www.faunarescue.org.au .