A Queensland wildlife carer broke down in tears as she pleaded for the safe return of three koala joeys.
Sam Longman described how she is at a loss as to why or where the joeys had gone, telling Australia's Sunrise programme she was "devastated" for the koalas.
"I can't understand why somebody would want to take them," she said.
Authorities thought the missing koalas was just part of a prank but now believe the koalas were deliberately taken.
According to Ms Longman the koalas will be in need of urgent care.
"I don't think they're going to survive a great deal of time without care and medication that they should be having daily," Ms Longman said.
"They need specialist care to live, they need the medications that they should be taking, that they've missed quite a few of now.
"They're on supplement feeding, milk feeding still, and they just need somebody that's trained in what's not normal with them to pick up on any sign of illness."
The trio were taken from a home enclosure at a wildlife rescue centre in Ormiston near Brisbane sometime between Thursday night and Friday morning.
Authorities say those who are responsible for the koala disappearance face a maximum of three years in jail.
Newshub.
