Kai Wild - The 99th Koala

The 99th Koala is the story of arborist and conservationist Kailas Wild who dropped everything and drove 1500 kms to help rescue injured koalas on Kangaroo Island during last summer’s devastating fires.

This is the inspiring and sometimes confronting story of someone who went to help and ended up a koala dad.Seven weeks after arriving, he had crowd-funded sixty-five thousand dollars, participated in the rescue of over 100 koalas and had formed a special bond with a baby koala – Joey Kai. His social media postings gained tens of thousands of views and press attention around Australia and overseas, including the BBC, The Times (London), The New York Times and The Daily Mail.    Kai appears in-conversation. 

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About the Book

The 99th Koala shares that experience, in words and pictures, and introduces us to some of the koalas of Kangaroo Island. Sometimes tragic, sometimes hopeful, Kai’s story above all commemorates our unique wildlife, and demonstrates the power of one person trying to make a difference.   

‘At a time when many people have felt helpless to act against the immensity of the fires or the threat of climate change, Kai's daily descriptions and videos of saving helpless animals have been a welcome dose of personal courage and deep humanity.’ ABC

About the Author

Kailas Wild is a climbing arborist, conservationist, wildlife rescuer and surrogate father to the orphaned koala Joey Kai. He lives in NSW.

About the Moderator

Gregg Borschmann is one of Australia’s most experienced journalists and oral historians specialising on the environment. Gregg left ABC Radio National in August 2020 after two decades as a producer/reporter and senior producer on RN Breakfast with Fran Kelly and Hamish Macdonald. He continues his work as a consultant oral historian for the National Library of Australia.