The New South Wales Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) posted the picture of a forlorn-looking koala sitting on the site of what used to be its home after loggers cut down the tree it lived in.

Leanne Taylor, General Manager of WIRES NSW, said: “Koalas would have been moved out of their homes in preparation for planned logging activities in the nearby State Forest. It is common for koalas to roam back to their home range afterwards and become confused to find nothing there.”

According to a release from WIRES, workers from a pine plantation helped its volunteers to relocate the koalas.

Leanne Taylor explained: “A worker noticed a koala had been sitting stationary in broad daylight on top of wood piles for over an hour. Investigations by a local vet found this koala had an ulcerated eye and was possibly also disorientated.

“WIRES is pleased that workers took the initiative to assist the native animals, and from this, we are working to relocate several koalas that have been found in the area into suitable habitat.

“WIRES rescued 400 koalas in NSW over the past year alone. We are pleased to be playing our part in maintaining, protecting and assisting in the recovery of indigenous koala populations.”

Koalas are listed as a species that is vulnerable to extinction in NSW. The young male spent a few days in care until his eye cleared up and he was successfully released into the nearby koala habitat.