The theft of an echidna from a wildlife sanctuary on Queensland's Gold Coast was an alcohol-fuelled prank, a legal representative for one of the accused says.

Piggie, a four-year-old breeding female, was allegedly snatched by two men from her enclosure at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday.

Police said the men were caught on security cameras cutting away netting to gain access to an enclosure containing a number of echidnas.

They tried to remove three different echidnas from nesting boxes without success, until they got to Piggie, who was friendlier and easier to manage.

Jarrod Ronald Simmons, 24, appeared in Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday, charged with receiving tainted property and animal cruelty.

Law clerk Jacob Reichman, who represents Simmons, said outside court that there was a significant amount of alcohol involved in what was a prank gone wrong.

Mr Reichman said Simmons was involved in helping with the echidna's safe return.

He successfully asked for the matter to be adjourned until Wednesday so he could prepare legal argument.

"He took a photo with the echidna and showed that to a member of the public who raised the alarm," Mr Reichman said.

"Mr Simmons is only alleged to be involved in the return so we don't have any details, nor does the police material, about why it might have been taken but it is a prank gone wrong.

"It was merely just alcohol-fuelled stupidity."

A second man, 25, has also been charged with offences including animal cruelty, receiving tainted property, possessing dangerous drugs and unlawful possession of a weapon.

He is due to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on August 17.

'Sore and sorry' echidna found outside sanctuary's fence

A "sore and sorry" Piggie was found on Monday night wandering on the wrong side of the fence at the sanctuary.

The park's senior vet, Michael Pyne, said details were "sketchy" on when she was dumped there, with police being told it could have been as early as Sunday.

"She certainly didn't go far," he said.

Although her blood tests and X-rays have come back clear, Mr Pyne said he could tell she was uncomfortable and had been through an ordeal.

"I really don't think there was any deliberate injuries done to her," he said.

"Her spines were all intact. I think her tenderness was just from inappropriate handling and everything she had been through."

After a good night's sleep, Piggie has eaten and is moving a bit around her enclosure and appeared to be settling in.