Family free koala trapped under backyard fence

A South Australian family has helped to free a koala that somehow trapped its head underneath a fence in their backyard.

Diluz Abbasov's mother discovered the koala in the backyard of their Athelstone home about 10am today. 

"When we found him he looked calm and he was just resting under the gate," Ms Abbasov told 9news.com.au.

"I think it was trying to get through to the backyard and it got its head under and wasn't able to get its whole body under," she said.

The 37-year-old said the koala appeared to be calm until she tried to free him.

"I tried to help it but I didn't have any gloves, so I got a towel and put it over its heads and tried to push it through the gate, but its claws were still out so I thought it was too dangerous," she said.

Ms Abbasov eventually called the RSPCA, who referred them to a koala rescue team.

"They suggested spraying a water mist on him (to keep him cool) so that’s what I started to do," she said.

"I think that prompted him to move. Once I started spraying the water, he got his paw up and was trying to wipe it off his face. Then he started wiggling more and finally was freed."

Ms Abbasov said the koala then slowly made its way across the street and fell asleep in a nearby tree.

"Nothing like this has happened before," she said.