After One Koala Dies Due To Being Given Water Improperly, Vets Explain How To Do It Right
As the whole world is keeping an eye on the bushfires that are still devastating Australia, people tend to get their attraction drawn by Australia’s beloved marsupials, koalas. Even though so many of them are being killed by the fires, dangers lurk for the rescued ones as well. After rescuing a helpless animal from the flames, many people have that first instinct to give them some water. While that is a noble and rightful idea, most of them reach out to the source that’s closest to them, which usually tends to be a water bottle they have stuffed in their bags or a hose. Turns out, drinking falling water could be fatal for koalas and vets are speaking out, explaining why.
Usually, koalas don’t drink at all and get all the fluids they need munching on eucalyptus (gum) leaves
But recent conditions in Australia have left them especially thirsty, making the poor animals seek any source of water they can get
However, giving koalas water from a bottle or a hose could be fatal for them, as they could potentially breathe air and die from pneumonia and here’s a perfect explanation why
Arnie the Koala has already paid the price but many more little fluffs can be saved by spreading the word
Michelle Thomas, the owner of the shelter, said they are definitely not trying to tell people off from giving water to the poor koalas. “We’re not saying don’t give them a drink, we’re saying don’t pour it – it needs to be in a bowl. It is completely safe for them to have water out of a bowl.”
As long as the koala is lapping and drinking by itself, that’s fine, but not forcing it into their mouth
” Normally healthy koalas don’t drink but the incredibly dry conditions mean they will because they aren’t getting enough fluid. It’s easy to overlook because of the bushfires but the hot and dry conditions are a bigger problem for them.”
Someone suggested it should be taken into account when thinking about other animals as well
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Share on FacebookI'm pretty sure Vets and Zoologists did. The general public did not.
Load More Replies...Do these people pour water in their dogs like this, too? Isn't it REALLY OBVIOUS that (most) animals lap water from a puddle, pond, river and thus face down? Very good to raise awareness, apparently it's needed :(
I was thinking the same thing. Honestly, in a pinch every bottle has a cap that can be used. Probably annoying for the animal, since it's not a very large amount, but yeah. My dog always gives me that look when I do this whilst camping with a wide mouth nalgene. The "Are you really too lazy to dig out my bowl? Yes? Okay. I'm going to be so annoying that all your water will end up on the GROUND" look.
Load More Replies...This information should’ve gone out long ago, when the bushfires started spreading. Imagine thinking you’re helping, then finding out you’re actually hurting. Wonder what other species drown if they don’t lap water face down. I would like a list compiled and distributed—-the way the climate’s going, we may be assisting more animals fleeing fire, and don’t want to cause them more suffering, and especially not death.
I' m going to pick a nit here "...when the bushfires started .." Which year ? Every summer there are bush fires in Australia. This year they started even earlier, burn hotter, don't slow down at night and are burning in places where there has never been fire ( such as rainforests ) and they spread faster. Hopefully the info is available now, and spreads fast. What we CAN do is spread the info. Support a well known and honest charity such as R.S.P.C.A.
Load More Replies...When I give my dog water from a bottle, I gently pour it toward the ground and she laps it as it is falling, at her own pace, I wonder if this would work for the Koalas, if there is no container handy?
I think it's about them having their heads tipped up, not down. If they don't often drink water they prob ably haven't evolved a strong thingiemabob (forgot the word, separates lungs from stomach?) In their throat.
Load More Replies...Well who knew? I hope a lot of animals/species are saved. I would hate to hear of any species going extinct due to these fires. We're at a tipping point and hopefully it's not too late.
It is true. We need to ACT now. Convince our governments to ACT now.
Load More Replies...Amongst others, Cattle , giraffes and elephants don’t lap water. They drink it. Humans drink water the way we do ONLY because we don’t want to get down on our hands and knees or spill it all over our clothes. I would say this koala died from a freak accident. Humans too sometimes accidentally inhale water when drinking so it is not unique.
My beardie is the same way, it can only safely get water through mist or a bowl
One of the captions says : However, giving koalas water from a bottle or a hose could be fatal for them, as they could potentially breathe air and die from pneumonia. That can´t be right.
I'm pretty sure Vets and Zoologists did. The general public did not.
Load More Replies...Do these people pour water in their dogs like this, too? Isn't it REALLY OBVIOUS that (most) animals lap water from a puddle, pond, river and thus face down? Very good to raise awareness, apparently it's needed :(
I was thinking the same thing. Honestly, in a pinch every bottle has a cap that can be used. Probably annoying for the animal, since it's not a very large amount, but yeah. My dog always gives me that look when I do this whilst camping with a wide mouth nalgene. The "Are you really too lazy to dig out my bowl? Yes? Okay. I'm going to be so annoying that all your water will end up on the GROUND" look.
Load More Replies...This information should’ve gone out long ago, when the bushfires started spreading. Imagine thinking you’re helping, then finding out you’re actually hurting. Wonder what other species drown if they don’t lap water face down. I would like a list compiled and distributed—-the way the climate’s going, we may be assisting more animals fleeing fire, and don’t want to cause them more suffering, and especially not death.
I' m going to pick a nit here "...when the bushfires started .." Which year ? Every summer there are bush fires in Australia. This year they started even earlier, burn hotter, don't slow down at night and are burning in places where there has never been fire ( such as rainforests ) and they spread faster. Hopefully the info is available now, and spreads fast. What we CAN do is spread the info. Support a well known and honest charity such as R.S.P.C.A.
Load More Replies...When I give my dog water from a bottle, I gently pour it toward the ground and she laps it as it is falling, at her own pace, I wonder if this would work for the Koalas, if there is no container handy?
I think it's about them having their heads tipped up, not down. If they don't often drink water they prob ably haven't evolved a strong thingiemabob (forgot the word, separates lungs from stomach?) In their throat.
Load More Replies...Well who knew? I hope a lot of animals/species are saved. I would hate to hear of any species going extinct due to these fires. We're at a tipping point and hopefully it's not too late.
It is true. We need to ACT now. Convince our governments to ACT now.
Load More Replies...Amongst others, Cattle , giraffes and elephants don’t lap water. They drink it. Humans drink water the way we do ONLY because we don’t want to get down on our hands and knees or spill it all over our clothes. I would say this koala died from a freak accident. Humans too sometimes accidentally inhale water when drinking so it is not unique.
My beardie is the same way, it can only safely get water through mist or a bowl
One of the captions says : However, giving koalas water from a bottle or a hose could be fatal for them, as they could potentially breathe air and die from pneumonia. That can´t be right.
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