Baby Doug's chances of survival improve

A baby koala shot with two air rifle pellets is showing some improvement before surgery, giving carers a glimpse of his cheeky personality.

"Doug" has been recovering at the Australian Wildlife Hospital at Beerwah since being found with his injured mother at the base of a tree on a Morayfield property north of Brisbane on Tuesday.

He has been given a 50-50 chance of survival, with surgery to remove the pellets scheduled for today.

Hospital general manager Gail Gipp said yesterday there had been signs of improvement.

She said Doug, named after one of his rescuers, was also eating better, gaining 25g since Wednesday.

Doug's mum, Meryl, who was also shot by an unknown assailant, has had one slug removed from her body and is expected to make a full recovery.