Rare white koala

This koala is incredibly rare because although he has white fur instead of the usual grey/brown, he has the normal black eyes and nose.

The creature, nicknamed Mick, was found blind and suffering from a variety of illnesses by a forest ranger and taken to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, north of Sydney.

He was immediately given round-the-clock security protection in case anyone tried to steal him and sell him to a collector for his novelty value.

After an operation on his eyes, he was put on antibiotics and gradually returned to full health.

Mick has just been released back into the Bush after months of treatment - although his precise location remains a secret.