Koalas battle over tree-top territory

Two koalas were filmed locked in a territorial battle over a tree in Adelaide earlier this month which ended when one of the marsupials was kicked to the ground.

Footage shows the mammals clinging to the same limb of a gum tree when one crawls up behind the other and wrestles it from its perch.

One koala squeals in horror as the antagonist approaches from behind, grappling it with a loud growl.

Following a brief scuffle, one koala is vanquished and thrown several metres to the ground.

It sits up, battered and dazed for a moment before it carries on along the ground to find its own tree.

The victim was not injured after battling with what the Adelaide Hills resident who recorded the fight described as "Australia's toughest koala".

While most footage taken of koalas in that area usually shows the cute creatures sipping water provided by bushfire fighters, this biffo brings their cuddly image into disrepute.