Baby Koala found inside convict's handbag in Australia's Queensland

Australian Queensland police have discovered a baby koala tucked inside a convict's handbag just moments before her arrest.

Queensland police in a statement on Monday said the unusual first-time discovery was made by the Upper Mount Gravatt Tactical Crime Squad at 20:55 local time (AEST) on Sunday night when a police patrol stopped and spoke to a woman on Newnham Road, Wishar on several outstanding matters.

The 50-year-old East Brisbane woman was subsequently arrested but prior to being transported to the watch house police had asked her if she had anything to declare.

To their surprise that's when the woman handed over a zipped green canvas bag telling officers that it had contained a baby koala.

"Not quite believing their ears, the officers cautiously unzipped the bag and found this gorgeous boy," the police said in a statement.

Since the discovery was made, RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Ambulance has been called in to collect the baby koala who is protected under the Nature Conservation Act.

The baby koala which is believed to be about six months old is deemed to be in good health, although a bit dehydrated.

"He's been on fluids but is doing well and will shortly be going out to a carer," Queensland RSPCA spokesperson Michael Beatty said.

"He weighs 1.5 kg and we've called him Alfred," Beatty said.

At present, police are looking into claims by the woman that she found the baby koala on Saturday at Kessels Road, Nathan in Southern Brisbane and was reportedly caring for it. Endit