22 January 2010 | 10:01:45 PM | Source: AAP/SBS

A baby koala shot with a pellet gun has died on the operating table as veterinarians tried to save his life.

Doug was found with pellet wounds to his ribs and abdomen at the base of a tree at a Morayfield property, north of Brisbane, on Tuesday morning.

His mother Meryl was also shot but is expected to make a full recovery after earlier surgery.

Staff at the Australian Wildlife Hospital tried to remove half of one of Doug's lungs after a pellet was found in his chest.

"However, it is with sad regret that during surgery, Doug passed away and vets were unable to save him," a spokeswoman said.

X-rays on Friday revealed surgery was needed as soon as possible after it was found his condition had worsened.

He was given only a 50-50 chance of survival before the operation.

Authorities are continuing to search for the person who shot the mother-and-baby koalas.

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1177782/Baby-koala-shot-with-pellet-gun-dies


Click to view image: 'Baby Koala'