A gang of young men is believed to be behind a series of horrific attacks on animals in Brisbane's northern suburbs.
A koala and her joey were rescued and are receiving treatment and another koala was found dead in a park in the suburb of Kallangur on Friday night after reports that teenagers were throwing rocks and sticks.
The injured animals are being treated at Australian Wildlife Hospital at Australia Zoo at Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast.
Wildlife officers found the body of the dead koala in a garbage bin. Its skull was crushed, left eye punctured, its right arm broken and it had other injuries consistent with being bashed to death, said animal carer Anika Lehmann.
Ms Lehmann, from Caboolture Koala Care and Rescue, said two more mothers, both with young at pouch, were removed from the area to prevent them possibly being attacked.
"We got them out for their own safety," she said.
"Too many residents said this group is just harassing any animal they can lay their hands on."
She said that just days earlier live magpies had been found in the area nailed by their wings to trees.
The incident comes as the RSPCA struggles with a spate of sadistic attacks on animals in and around Brisbane.
The RSPCA has called for stiffer penalties in courts for cruelty against wildlife and for the Environmental Protection Agency to take a greater role in the protection of wildlife.
The maximum penalty under the Animal Care and Protection Act is $75,000 or two years' jail.
However, RSPCA spokesman Michael Beatty said the maximum ever imposed in the state was four months' imprisonment.
Mr Beatty said it was disturbing the gang suspected of harming animals in the Kallangur area were young adults, not children.
"There's a lot of community outrage out there," Mr Beatty said.
"Our call centre's just been flooded, people are saying enough's enough.
"This gang are quite renowned in that area."
Reports of animal cruelty can be made on the RSPCA hotline 1300 852 188.
