When Cyclone Alfred forced a wildlife hospital to close, this rescue koala found a new place to recuperate

Laura Leaf had a sick possum for company when she spent three nights in a spare room at Mallory Wilson's Nerang home

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Laura Leaf, a rescued koala, was the last surgery of the day at Currumbin wildlife hospital, just hours before its doors were due to close to ride out Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

But after undergoing emergency abdominal surgery on Wednesday, Laura Leaf needed round-the-clock care - and the Gold Coast hospital's intensive care unit was about to be shut.

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