Disturbing footage of an e-bike rider hitting a koala on a suburban Brisbane road before apparently continuing on has sparked outrage, as wildlife rescuers plead with riders and motorists to slow down and stop when animals are struck.

The incident was captured on dashcam on Nursery Road at Holland Park, in Brisbane’s south, at about 2pm on Saturday.

The footage shows two e-bike riders overtaking a line of cars before one appears to collide with a koala attempting to cross the road. The animal can be seen tumbling beneath the bike, while the rider continues on.

Koala Rescue Brisbane South later shared the confronting footage, saying the riders had been travelling so quickly that one appeared unable to avoid the animal.

The organisation was particularly dismayed that the rider did not stop to check on the koala or report the collision.

“To the e-bike riders, please do better,” the group said, while urging everyone on the road to slow down because koalas can be on the move at any time of day or night.

Thankfully, there may be a happy ending.

Wildlife rescuers responding to the incident located two koalas near the road and took them to the RSPCA Wildlife Hospital, where they were monitored overnight. Both were found to be uninjured.

However, rescuers cannot be certain that either animal was the koala seen being struck in the footage, meaning its fate remains unclear.

The incident comes at a particularly busy time for koalas in the area.

A volunteer with Koala Rescue Brisbane South said the organisation had been receiving several calls a day, with breeding season prompting koalas to move more widely in search of mates and young animals beginning to find territory of their own.

That means more koalas crossing roads, climbing fences and potentially coming into contact with dogs and traffic.

The rescue group said it had also dealt with several recent hit-and-run incidents involving koalas and urged anyone who strikes one to stop and immediately seek help.

Keeping sight of the animal can make an enormous difference, allowing rescuers to reach it quickly rather than spending precious time searching surrounding streets.

“Any koala hit by a car needs urgent medical attention, which is why stopping and reporting is so important,” a volunteer told The Courier-Mail.

The footage has also reignited frustration over the behaviour of some young e-bike riders, with online commenters condemning both the apparent speed involved and the decision to keep going after the collision.

Some reactions went considerably further, with frustrated locals even suggesting the incident was another argument for bringing back national service – although the immediate concern for wildlife rescuers is far simpler.

Slow down, pay attention and, if the worst happens, stop and call for help.