Koala Claude made headlines around the world last September when he was caught red-handed eating $6,000 worth of seedlings.
But the thefts of the hungry marsupial at the site have had a happy outcome. Eastern Forest Nursery near Lismore in the north New South Wales, where new trees were planted after its attack.
Nursery director Humphrey Herington, who named the koala Claude because of his large claws, said he had eaten thousands of seedlings.
“It’s included in all the types of koala food trees we grow here,” he said in September.
“Clearly Claude thinks this is a restaurant, but if that were the case, his bill would already be about $6,000.”
Herington said Claude was “pretty grumpy” when he drove him a few hundred yards down the street to his neighbor’s property.
But the cheeky koala returned just two days later hoping to satisfy his appetite.
The publicity generated by Claude’s daring whims led to the nursery receiving a large donation to cover the cost of the stolen saplings.
They have donated the seedlings to WWF to use in community projects.
Koala Claude (pictured) made headlines around the world last September when he was caught red-handed eating seedlings worth $6,000.
Pictured left to right: Nursery Manager Humphrey Herington, Greens MP Sue Higginson and WWF’s Maria Borges help plant the new trees.
So far about 500 seedlings have been planted in a field near the nursery.
Maria Borges, head of WWF-Australia’s Koalas Forever project, said Claude’s criminality showed there was a desperate need for edible trees.
“This area of the Northern Rivers, especially around Lismore, is very cleared and really lacks good quality habitat for them,” he said.
‘We need to plant more trees and urgently stop tree felling, especially around the Northern Rivers, which is a stronghold for koala populations in New South Wales.
‘Through our Koalas Forever programme, WWF is working with around 10 local communities, including traditional owners and indigenous rangers, to carry out habitat restoration and revegetation projects in the area.
“So far we have funded the planting of about 400,000 trees and our goal is to reach 500,000 by the end of the year.”
Greens MP Sue Higginson, on whose farm the seedlings were planted, was delighted to help.
“We are in one of the richest and most biodiverse areas of this continent, but historical logging has seriously degraded the area,” he said.
‘Living with koalas is something incredibly special, exciting and fun. The seedlings planted today add to the 10,000 trees we have planted here over the past few years.
“We are doing this because we have an incredible population of koalas fighting to survive right here.”
The koala Claude appears in the photo with his eye on some seedlings he took without permission
Ms Higginson said she was sure the newly planted trees would make a difference to the koalas and the landscape.
However, having been burned before, Mr. Herington has asked Claude to show some restraint in the future.
“Claude, if you’re watching this, come back when they’ve grown into trees, not when they’re in our nursery as seedlings,” he said.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Claude for comment.
