This 6-month-old joey named Phantom stayed by his mother's side during life-saving surgery. Mother koala Lizzy was hit by a car on Warrego Highway in Australia, suffering facial trauma and a collapsed lung. The two koalas are now recovering at Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, which was founded by Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin and his wife Terri.
Koalas are native to Australia and primarily eat eucalyptus leaves. They are asocial animals, with bonding occurring only between mothers and their dependent offspring. Baby koalas, or joeys, stay in their mother's pouches for the first six to seven months of their lives, and are only weaned at around one year.
This mom koala was hit by a car and suffered facial damage and a punctured lung
Her tiny 1 pound joey clung to his mother during the entire operation
The operation was performed in Australia Hospital founded by “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin
The mom's lung was repaired and she is expected to fully recover
