Orphaned baby koala saved by Australian zoo

A tiny, vulnerable koala joey's life has been saved by the Werribee Open Range Zoo's veterinary team, after it was found in a critical condition in the wild.

The miniature 400 gram joey, dubbed 'Mini', was brought to the zoo for urgent medical attention by a registered wildlife carer who had rescued Mini after her mother was killed by a dog.

On arrival at the zoo, six-month-old Mini's condition was incredibly precarious.

At this age, koala joeys are still entirely dependent on the support, warmth and safety of their mother's pouch and milk to survive.

Werribee Open Range Zoo Veterinary Nurse Jessie Rice provided around-the-clock care for Mini using a substitute woollen pouch, regular milk supplement and browse feeds, along with the comfort of a humidicrib.

It wasn't long before Ms Rice started to see Mini's fighting spirit and personality shine.

"She's been thriving. She's been putting on weight and that's the way that we want her to go," Ms Rice said.

While at the Zoo Mini is kept in a humidicrib.

"She'll spend the days in there and then come home with me at night-time, with a little hot pad," Ms Rice said.

That means regular feeding throughout the night.

"She was very active and really vocal at night time. I have not been getting too much sleep because of it but a vocal, active koala is what we want," Ms Rice said.

Mini has now returned to the wildlife carer and will be hand raised until she grows to 3-4 kilograms which will take around 12-18 months.

Werribee Open Range Zoo's vets will continue to provide ongoing support and medical expertise as required.

Mini will then be released back into the wild near where she was found in South-west Victoria.

(Representative Image)