An animal rescue centre is calling on Australians to stop and check for injured wildlife after a koala was discovered trapped inside a car’s grille.
The koala, named Axle, survived a high-impact collision that saw him thrown through the front grille of a car in Adelaide’s south.
Images from the scene show Axle looking out from beneath the grille while trapped.
Despite the severity of the impact, he sustained only minor injuries.
Southern Koala and Echidna Rescue said volunteers were called to the scene just after midnight on Saturday and worked carefully to free the animal.
“He was vet-checked today and, aside from a scrape and what we imagine is a very sore head, this brave boy is remarkably OK,” the organisation said in a social media post.
“Huge thank you to the driver who stopped, checked, and called our 24-hour hotline. One phone call truly made all the difference.”
The organisation said the incident highlighted the importance of stopping to check vehicles after hitting an animal.
“Axle will spend a few days resting and receiving some well-deserved TLC before being released back into a safer part of his home territory,” the post said.
Motorists who encounter injured wildlife are urged to contact rescue services, including WIRES, which operates a 24-hour assistance line.
Images: Facebook
