This Grandpa Saved a Koala From a Busy Road and Then Gave It a Hilarious Lecture
You know how some folks retire into a comfy routine? Not Terry! This 82-year-old from Queensland took “roadkill rescuer” to heart when he spotted a bewildered koala smack in the middle of Beaudesert‑Beenleigh Road. Without a second thought, Terry hopped out of his car, scooped up the marsupial like he was picking up a grocery bag, and safely delivered it under a gum tree.
You’re about to discover why this viral moment had people grinning from ear to ear.
Aussie Grandpa Scolds Koala
Once Ted the koala was out of danger, Terry launched into what looked like the sternest grandpa lecture ever caught on camera. The internet lost it. One Reddit user said, “It looked like it listened to him, too.”
We also got a tidbit about how koalas have one of the smallest brain-to-body mass ratios, with their smooth brains weighing about 19 grams. Meanwhile, a human brain weighs 1300 grams and has folds.
People then went wild guessing what Terry said, as he served it with a slice of Aussie dad sass. Was it a tough love speech in a David Attenborough drawl? Or was he simply lecturing the adorable animal on how nothing good comes from crossing the road?
What He Really Said (and Why It’s Even Better)
Image via Getty Images/Sylvain GAUTIER
When asked by 7News, Terry cleared it up. He was simply telling the koala not to scratch. It turns out Mr. Koala was defending himself with his claws and all. Terry just grinned and explained how a calm, quick grab can make a koala realize it’s being rescued.
As Terry found out about his newfound popularity, he chuckled and shrugged, saying, “Well, I didn’t know all of that.” He even went back twice that same day to check on Ted. The koala had wandered deeper into the tree line by then. Terry spotted him, called out, and said some quiet reassurance.