Koala stuck in tree with a rabbit trap on its paw is rescued

A koala was recovering in a Melbourne veterinary hospital on Thursday after one of its paws became caught in a rabbit trap.

It was rescued after being spotted in a tree.

After the koala was freed from the jaws of the steel trap, it was encouraged down the tree and taken away for treatment.

Rescuer Nigel Williamson said the koala's injuries were horrific and amongst the worst he's seen.

"I've dealt with koalas in bush fires in horrific injuries and dog attacks, but never with a trap like this. And to see the bones sticking out of the end of this poor koala's paw was just horrendous," he said.

"I had to get it down as quickly as possible and get that trap off her."

Barrie Tapp, a senior investigator with Melbourne's Animal Cruelty Hotline, added: "Had we not found that koala tonight he would've died probably, possibly died anyway. So, it's a very, very cruel instrument."