Three baby koalas stolen from orphanage near Brisbane

Wildlife carers have appealed for the safe return for three baby koalas that were stolen from an animal welfare home near Brisbane.

The three joeys were among a group of 11 koalas which were being treated by Australia's Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).

The babies, who weigh between 4.5 and 6.5 pounds each, need medication and are too young to fend for themselves.

Koala carer Sam Longman said: "When I came home Friday morning I stuck my head in to make sure that everybody was okay.

"I didn't actually do a head count then, it wasn't until later in the day that when I went to feed them that I realised that three were missing.

"I just want them to come home, they're sick, they need care.

"General members of the public don't know how to care for them, and can't do the right thing by them. So just do the right thing and bring them back."

The RSPCA says it still does not have any idea about the whereabouts of the stolen koalas.