Rare White Koala.

Photo: Hayley Deeks of Hydro Photographics

Mick is a very rare koala with white fur and dark eyes and nose. Albino koalas have pink eyes and noses.

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.

Hospital staff kept Mick a secret while treating him. He has been released back into the wild at an undisclosed location, for his own safety. Rangers will try to monitor his whereabouts and his health. Link -via Fark