Flood-hit koalas meet Queen

When the floodwaters struck, the animals were evacuated from the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane.

Thousands of people were also forced to flee the city when the River Brisbane burst its banks and more than 20 people were left dead, bringing damage that cost hundreds of millions of Australian dollars to repair.

Nine-year-old Nivea and Sprite, eight, were held by sanctuary staff Karen Nilsson, a senior wildlife officer and wildlife manager Jacqui Brumm. When she asked about the flooding and if it affected the animals, the Queen was told by Ms Brumm: “They had to be evacuated to higher ground behind their home, Lone Pine was inundated (with water).”