The Australia Zoo operated on a mother koala who'd been hit by a car, and her baby son refused to leave her side, hugging her throughout the surgery.
The Courier-Mail (AU) reported that 6-month-old Phantom and his mother Lizzy were both struck by a vehicle on Warrego Highway just west of Brisbane on Monday. Phantom was more or less unscathed, however Lizzy suffered a collapsed lung and facial trauma.
When the pair were brought to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, veterinarians had to sedate Lizzy in order to drain her lung. They decided that Phantom was well behaved, and that he could stay in the operating room.
"Phantom is with Lizzy during her procedures and check ups to ensure neither mum nor bub get stressed out," the hospital said,
ABC News reported. "Similarly, Phantom [has been put] in a 'pouch' during weighing to ensure he feels safe and protected while away from mum."
The little joey hugged his mother throughout the procedure, providing comfort for the both of them.
"Lizzy is in recovery and we’re happy to say she is going well," said hospital vet nurse Jamie-Lynn Nevers following the surgery. "It’s so rewarding to see patients like Lizzy doing well."
The mother koala is now on antibiotics, and is expected to make a full recovery.
In its 11-year history, the Wildlife Hospital has treated 58,000 animals. The average koala treatment costs between $1,200 and $3,800.
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