Koala survives 60-mph impact, 7 miles in grille

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This story was carried on Reuters last night. Here is the link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25681756 CANBERRA, Australia - A koala that cheated death after being hit by a car at about 60 mph and dragged with his head jammed through the vehicle grille for about 7 miles is being dubbed Australia's luckiest marsupial. The eight-year-old male koala, named "Ely 'Lucky' Grills" by rescuers, was struck by an unwitting motorist north of Brisbane and found only when the car stopped after being flagged down by another vehicle. "Lucky" hung on during his ordeal with one arm and his trapped head, and was freed with household scissors used like a fireman's "jaws-of-life" to cut around the car's mesh grille with the horrified owner's permission. Lucky was in shock but he quickly recovered and was nearly better after a couple of hours rest and a meal. Lucky will stay at a hospital set up by the late television wildlife and crocodile crusader Steve Irwin for 45 days to recover from his experience and receive treatment for a chlamydial infection. Apparently they named him appropriately. What a lucky day it was for that Koala.