A Curious Koala Hops Aboard a City Bus in Australia and Calmly Rides Along
Public transit officials in Brisbane confirmed an unusual safety incident in mid-December 2025 after a city bus driver intervened to protect a native koala. A video shared by a local wildlife rescue group later circulated widely, drawing attention to how the situation unfolded and why standard procedures were briefly set aside.
Authorities confirmed the koala had been moving through active traffic when a public transit employee made a real-time decision to secure the animal on a city bus. The temporary solution kept both the koala and the public safe until trained wildlife responders arrived.
A Problem Spotted
@brisbanetimesA koala on a bus? Did he swipe his Go Card? A young koala was rescued from a busy Brisbane road, taking refuge on the passenger rail before being released back into the wild. Footage and photos supplied to Brisbane Times by Koala Rescue Brisbane South. #koala #brisbane #brisbanebus #aussiewildlife♬ original sound – brisbanetimes
A Brisbane CityGlider bus driver noticed a koala moving through traffic on a busy street in the Camp Hill area. Koalas do not fare well on urban roads. They move slowly, rely on trees for shelter, and can panic when surrounded by loud noises and vehicles.
The animal attempted to climb a metal light pole positioned on a median. That move created a second risk, because a fall would have dropped the koala directly toward active traffic. The driver stopped the bus, stepped out, and acted quickly to limit harm. Using a jacket to cover the koala’s head, he lifted the animal away from danger and brought it onto the bus.
Why A Bus Became The Safest Option
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Eamon Monaghan Photography
Wildlife experts consistently warn against handling koalas without training. They have strong claws, can bite, and improper handling can cause them injury. Still, in this case, the driver made a judgment call based on immediate conditions. The bus offered a dark, contained space, which is exactly what wildlife rescue groups recommend when an animal needs temporary shelter.
Koala Rescue Brisbane South later confirmed that the bus was used only as a holding space while help was en route. Inside the vehicle, the koala latched onto a vertical pole and stayed calm while the driver contacted rescuers.
Rescuers named the koala Peri after arriving on the scene. Photos and video show Peri gripping a handrail as the bus remained stationary. Koalas under stress often vocalize or attempt to flee, but Peri did neither. Once collected, Peri was taken to an RSPCA wildlife hospital for evaluation. Veterinarians cleared him in under 24 hours: no injuries, no signs of illness, and no long-term issues tied to the roadside encounter.
Back To The Bush, Right On Schedule
After the checkup, rescuers relocated Peri to the Seven Hills Bushland Reserve, a protected area for koala habitation. The release followed standard practice for healthy animals found in urban zones. Koalas depend on eucalyptus forests and spend most of their lives in trees. When those trees disappear or become fragmented, animals are forced to move into unfamiliar territory. Thus, the goal is always to return, rather than relocate into care.
This is vital because koalas remain vulnerable across eastern Australia. The World Wildlife Fund reports that koalas were listed as endangered in several regions in 2022. Habitat loss, vehicle strikes, disease, and dog attacks continue to reduce populations. The Australian Koala Foundation estimates that as much as 80 percent of koala habitat has disappeared due to land clearing, with current population estimates under 60K nationwide. So it’s a good thing that Peri paused and waited to be returned to the wild.