Baby Koala Hugs Mom to Help Her Through Life-Saving Surgery (PHOTOS)

Of all the medicine in the world, love is possibly the best of all. Just ask Lizzy the koala mom and her joey, Phantom.

Lizzy and Phantom were brought into the Australian Zoo’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center after they were hit by a car in Brisbane. Although Phantom did not sustain any injuries, his mom Lizzy suffered from some face trauma and a collapsed lung.

In this region of Australia, the koala population is listed as an endangered species. As the koala’s native habitat is developed for human use, these tree bears are becoming more susceptible to threats like cars, wildfires, and habitat loss. Luckily, there are many organizations working to the koala species through conservation efforts in addition to rescue and rehabilitation programs for injured individuals.

Phantom and Lizzy are two benefactors of these programs, and the rehabilitation center staff are hard at work helping to get Lizzy better and back to the wild … but her human caretakers aren’t the only ones lending a hand.

Throughout Lizzy’s entire stay at the rehabilitation center, Phantom has been by her side. 

This little guy is only a few months old, so the veterinarians thought it would be best to let him stay with Lizzy for both of their comfort. He was even happily perched on her back when she underwent lifesaving surgery.

And it looks like Phantom’s hugs are doing the trick! Lizzy is now finishing a phase of antibiotics and well on her way to recovery.

“Hang in there, mom!”

He might be small, but his healing powers of love are incredibly strong!

Good luck, Phantom and Lizzy!

All image source: Austrialian Zoo Rehabilitation Center