Teenager charged over theft of Orana the koala from Adventure World

Police have arrested and charged a teenager from Parkwood over the theft of a koala from Adventure World earlier this month.

The 17-year-old was charged on Friday after allegedly stealing 15-year-old koala Orana from the Bibra Lake theme park on Saturday, January 16, before releasing her nearby.

The koala’s disappearance sparked a massive search effort in the Bibra Lake bushland the next day, with concerns the elderly marsupial wouldn’t survive long without her medication.

Orana was found up a tree about 5pm on Sunday, January 17, and emergency crews were called in after her owner attempted to coax the koala down.

The 17-year-old boy will face Fremantle Children’s Court on February 4, accused of causing an animal unnecessary harm and possessing unlawfully obtained property.