THIS koala was let off with a stern warning after being arrested and taken into police custody in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The marsupial gave police the run around yesterday after it was spotted dodging and weaving traffic in Campbelltown at about 2am.

Senior Constable Barry from the NSW Dog Unit was first on the scene and a blow-by-blow account of the incident has been posted on the dog unit’s Facebook page.

media_camera After a chase, police placed the koala into the back of a police vehicle for it’s own safety. Picture: Facebook

“Senior Constable Barry stopped and spoke to the koala about the dangers of running across the lanes of traffic,” the post says.

“After failing to comply and ‘move along’, numerous warnings were issued, but the koala failed to comply.

“Campbelltown LAC attended and a short foot pursuit occurred.

“The koala was eventually arrested and placed for safety in a police vehicle.”

media_camera Firefighters used a cherry picker to rescue a koala stranded in the West Leagues Club carpark at Leumeah.

Police then consulted with RSPCA who advised the koala should be released in a suitable location, away from the Campbelltown traffic.

“The koala was last seen decamping from the police vehicle leaving the handcuffs behind.....”

Campbelltown police crime manager detective Inspector Greg Inger said arresting a koala was quite an unusual case for police.

“We deal with whatever comes our way and sometimes we are asked to deal with wildlife,” Det-Insp Inger said.

“It’s the nature of policing sometimes. Every day is different.

“We go from witnessing something that’s the worst in the world to something that is quite enjoyable.”

KOALA RESCUED FROM SUBURBAN CARPARK

KOALA’S UNDER THREAT AS NATURAL HABITAT SHRINKS

Despite the humour, the Facebook highlights a serious issue in the Campbelltown region, where koalas are frequently being found deep in suburban areas because of habitat loss.

media_camera This koala turned up at the back door of a Leumeah home recently.

Last week, firefighters brought in a cherry picker to pluck a stranded koala from a tree in the West Leagues Club carpark in Leumeah after it became stranded.

BEAR RUNS FOR COVER AS MAGPIES ATTACK

More koalas are being forced into urban areas as a result of shrinking habitat and redevelopments in the region encroaching on corridors, including the Airds Bradbury Renewal Project.

WIRES volunteers have reported rescuing up to six koalas a week as a result of the urban sprawl.

If you sight a koala in the suburbs, call WIRES on 1300 094 737.

media_camera A koala makes a run for it across open space to nearby bushland at Smiths Creek Reserve with a magpie in hot pursuit. Picture: Help Save the Wildlife and Bushland in Campbelltown Facebook