Seeing a familiar koala return to the wild after repeated rehabilitation is a reminder of the long-term nature of wildlife care. Few koalas demonstrate this more clearly than Jackie Chan.
Jackie Chan first came into the care of our koala hospital in November 2021 after entering a backyard as a small back joey. Our team searched the surrounding area for his mum, but she couldn’t be located. He was still fully dependent and required specialist care.
After plenty of TLC from our wildlife care team, he grew stronger every day and was finally healthy enough to be released back into his home range in March 2022.
For a while, all was well in the treetops. But in February 2024, Jackie Chan returned to our care once more. This time he was rescued with a suspected wet bottom, which is often a sign of chlamydia infection in koalas. Testing confirmed the diagnosis, and he began treatment straight away.
Thankfully, he responded very well to his medication and supportive care. Once he tested negative and had regained his strength, he was released back to the wild again in June 2024.
Jackie Chan’s third visit came in April 2025 after he was found with serious wounds to his chest, suspected to have been caused by another koala. This was his toughest battle yet.
His injuries required significant veterinary intervention from our dedicated vet team, including multiple surgeries and ongoing treatment.
Through it all, he showed remarkable determination. Slowly but surely, he recovered, healing well enough to be released once more in September 2025.
In November 2025, he returned for a fourth time, again needing treatment for chlamydia. Thanks to early intervention, expert veterinary care and plenty of support from our carers and volunteers, he once again made a strong recovery. In March 2026, he was released back to the wild for the fourth time.
Jackie Chan’s story is one of strength, resilience and second chances. Every return to the wild is a reminder of why wildlife rescue, veterinary care and habitat protection matter so deeply. Stay safe out there, Jackie Chan – back in the bush where you belong.
When Reggie arrived at Port Stephens Koala Hospital in December 2025, he was a young sub-adult male who had likely only recently left his mother to find a territory of his own. He was very unwell, with discharge from both his eyes and nose. A CT scan revealed pneumonia, and testing confirmed he was also positive for chlamydia.
In October 2021, a young koala joey was rescued from the side of Port Stephens Drive, a road once known for being particularly dangerous for koalas and other wildlife. Alone and appearing to have a leg injury, Basil was far too young to be without his mum.
When Ainslie arrived at Port Stephens Koala Hospital in October 2025, she was still riding on the back of her mum, Jane. The pair had been rescued from a backyard at Brandy Hill after dogs were spotted nearby.
