A SCOTTISH journalist was trolled by a wildlife park team in Australia as she covered the devastating bushfires.

ITV’s Debi Edward, from Aberdeen, was tricked into wearing full body armour to hold a harmless koala.

Staff at Kangaroo Island’s wildlife park warned Debi over the ‘drop bear’ - what they described as a dangerous predator which attacks people with venomous teeth.

The joke - similar to Scottish people’s myths about the Haggis - have been known to tourists for years, but 40-year-old Debi fell for the trick.

*Warning: Strong language*

READ MORE: Glasgow knitters unite to help stricken animals in Australia

Looking visibly concerned, she said: “I’m a bit worried about why I need this level of protection.

“”Everybody looks very, very worried about this”.

After begging to have the animal taken off her, the Wildlife Park team revealed the prank.

Laughing, Debi joked “f***ing Aussies”.

Sean Mulcahy, a producer for Australian news programme 7News, was behind the joke - and hoped it would raise awareness for the estimated 40,000 koalas killed on the bushfire-ravaged island.

He told the local station: “In times of tragedy and incessant misery, sometimes humour is the best medicine”.