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Australian Teens Save As Many Koalas As They Can By Driving Around And Searching For All The Live Ones
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Australian Teens Save As Many Koalas As They Can By Driving Around And Searching For All The Live Ones

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As the Australian bushfires continue to burn, a shocking piece of information appeared: since September, over 500 million animals have died because of the flames. Especially hard-hit was the koala population, with many of these animals dying in the calamity.

However, the situation in Australia showed us that people are willing to step up and be the everyday heroes that we need. 19-year-old Micah and 18-year-old Caleb are two such heroes and they’re being praised all over the net. These two cousins drove around Kangaroo Island, rescuing koalas and putting them in their car.

When you’re done with this post, have a read through Bored Panda’s articles about a dog who finds and rescues koalas and Patsy the wonder dog who saved a flock of sheep from the flames. Bored Panda spoke to local Steve, whose cousins drove around Kangaroo Island in a car saving koalas, about the current situation in Australia. Steve remains cautiously optimistic that the wildlife will recover, in time.

“The koala situation is certainly dire, but I remain cautiously optimistic. The fires destroyed a lot of their habitat, but since their primary food source is one that germinates through fire I think we’ll see nature bounce back rather quickly. That’s my hope anyway. The aim is to keep the existing population fed and cared for in the meantime,” he said about the Australian koala population. Scroll down for the full interview.

Cousins Micah (19) and Caleb (18) drove around rescuing as many koalas as they could

Image credits: Alternative 666

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Image credits: Alternative 666

Image credits: Alternative 666

The teens plan to look after all their new koala buddies until they’re healthy and it’s safe to let them back into the wild. According to Micah and Caleb, around 60 percent of all the koalas they came across had, unfortunately, burned to death.

“This is our little koala rescue. Just trying to collect as many live ones as we can,” one of the cousins can be heard saying in a video clip they shot, showing the interior of their car.

The guys plan to look after the koalas

Image credits: Alternative 666

Image credits: Alternative 666

According to Steve, the locals in the midst of the natural disaster are “working tirelessly to help the situation.”

“Some, my mother included, are going and cooking meals for them, others are rescuing wildlife. There have also been a number who have risked the fires to attempt to save their homes with mixed success. My grandparents, for example, were able to save their home. They obviously put themselves in harm’s way by doing so and made the job of the firefighters harder, but it’s hard for some people to just let their whole world burn down.”

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“My grandparents bought the home to renovate into their retirement home and have spent years remodeling. They were unable to leave it to chance and while successful their efforts are seen negatively by a number of us,” he added.

Steve explained that he’s sad about the ordeal his country and community are going through. “I grew up on Kangaroo Island and a very large portion is now in ashes. It’s disheartening to see the level of destruction and be powerless to stop it.”

“The entire situation seems to have been preventable to a large degree. Recent changes by the government are perceived by many as being the culprit on what has been the worst fires for a long time. Previously, it was common practice to ‘back burn’ so as to mitigate the risks of fire, but that practice was halted and as such provided the fires with more burning material and made it easier to spread.”

He continued: “Australian trees are prone to fire because they germinate through fire, which is the same issue that California has. If these regulations are not returned to common usage these fires may become a recurring feature of Australian life.”

Check out their video of the koalas in their car

The world has done little else but talk about the devastation in Australia (and the possibility of WWIII) in recent weeks. In a previous interview with Bored Panda, Ben Jameson who lives on the Gold Coast, near Brisbane, told us that his friends and family are “coming together, donating money where possible, helping each other out, going to communities to help clean up. Like, just regular people. Not emergency services or defense force. Just normal people.”

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“A university in Sydney estimates that near 500 million animals have been killed by the fires since September. Half a billion. So many of our animals, wombats, koalas, crocs, platypus, etc. are endangered or threatened species. I don’t think people understand the scale of that number. I’m not sure if our country’s ecosystem and biosphere will recover from this, I really don’t,” Ben told us.

Meanwhile, Sam Mitchell, co-owner of the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, told the Guardian that people were delivering injured animals to them, including about 50 koalas.

“At least a third of what has been brought in we’ve had to euthanize, unfortunately,” Mitchell broke the sad news. “We are seeing many burns to hands and feet—fingernails melted off. For some, the burns are just too extreme.”

Internet users praised the teens for their selfless deed

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sarah_collas avatar
SarahCC
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish, I could do the same! But I hope donating also helps

nesakysiukurtaueiti avatar
MagicalUnicorn
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

car full of koalas is great idea to help those adorable marsupials, great job, guys :)

straney-elizabeth avatar
E Menendez
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As wonderful as their efforts are, I hope they are not caring for the animals themselves, but bringing them to a rescue facility. They could actually do more harm if they do not.

Load More Replies...
ajcreasey avatar
seanforrester avatar
Sean Forrester
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry mate but a car load of angry, half burnt, deadly and venomous snakes aren't quite as appealing.

Load More Replies...
starter_up avatar
Patty Atwan
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think these boys are wonderful!! God bless them, the firefighters and anyone who helps.

kikkaio avatar
Kikka io
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

if I lived in those places I really think I would do the same, given what is happening, and I am not 19 years old, but even if I am an old woman, in comparison to those boys, I would go out of my way to try to save the lives of innocent people animals, which suffer what is almost certainly an affront by men to the nature of their lands.

christysmith_1 avatar
Christy Smith
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didn’t realize that they’re so domesticated & trusting of humans.

james_fox1984 avatar
I’m Foxxy and I know it 😉
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They usually aren’t, koalas can be quite aggressive. I think they know that we are their best chance of survival so put their trust in us.

Load More Replies...
cruzarts avatar
Steve Cruz
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After all of the animals that have been destroyed by these fires, scolding comments are uncalled for. Best of luck to the boys and their rescues.

rhodabike6 avatar
Seabeast
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope that the not-so-cute animals like Tasmanian devils are also being saved.

katiehayes_3 avatar
DrGirlfriend
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok so this is huge fkn POS climate change deniers looking for fkn sympathy I can't delete my emotional response but I did do some poking around afterwards and realized your a fkn tool and spreading garbage info you fkn tart

katiehayes_3 avatar
DrGirlfriend
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This went into wrong space omg fkn this app. This kid was screaming that terrorist 180 in fact started these fires and I was shocked and responded before I looked it up no it's climate change it's miserable climate change and this tart is spreading terrorists did this, so I blabed out above response to a Tyler something, not the OP . Op is a saint and those kids are saving those poor animals they are saints I posted in wrong spot somehow I'm sorry

Load More Replies...
sharronlparsons avatar
sharron lynn parsons
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is extremely horrific, devastating to know of the loss of animals, also the ones that suffered severely, I do pray every night for the fire to stop, Bless all who help !!!

cjucz22 avatar
Christina Uhlir
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank you for your good intentions, but prayers don't help. We cannot go on plundering and destroying nature, and when it starts to endanger our own survival, ask Got to fix all that devastation and suffering we caused. It doesn't work.

Load More Replies...
moustache04 avatar
EC Moustache
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it is sad that so many of these animals have passed on, but I am glad there are brave people like you willing to help them. I live in Canada but I am still very grateful to you for saving these lives.

cjucz22 avatar
Christina Uhlir
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The survival of the entire world depends on young people like Micah and Celeb; they are extraordinary human beings; however, I think that they can't care for those injured creatures by themselves, these animals need medical attention.

helveteschrist avatar
Nick Nickson
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel so sorry for those poor animals. Not people, just innocent animals.

daynavalentine avatar
Dayna Valentine
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's good what they've done, however injured koalas require specialised care, hopefully the boys aren't just looking after them on their own.

etnarudotrebor avatar
Roberto Durante
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

such great peoples, thank you for saving them, they need your help

katrinac avatar
Myxomatosis
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm am so far in debt I cannot help. I am in tears daily over this. All of this animals are endangered species now and their Prime Minister denied climate change and went on vacation for a month.

meru_the_dragoon2000 avatar
Munyo Koeshna
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's sad they ended up putting down a lot of the ones brought in..thats disappointing considering the amount of loss already ihope the ones they have thrive.

jksimm515 avatar
Koalamonster
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is such a strong mix of sad and... kind of happy because people are very much trying.... mostly it's just sad though.

brandygrote avatar
Brandy Grote
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The last chlamydia free colony of koalas. Glad a few can be saved!

maurokasey avatar
Kasey Mauro
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this!!!!!! I'm in the USA and have donated to several different things. I wish I could fly there and help them too!

isogsargent avatar
Isog Sargent
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cloth seats??? Those dumb little bastards are going to s**t all over the car.

carol-mcclellan-5 avatar
Carol McClellan
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What gets to me is how many acres have been burned. I read that Australia has lost about 115.5 acres (converted from hectares). I live in the state of Wisconsin which is about 34.7 acres. That means it would burn about half the state if it was here.

suegreene avatar
Sue Clasen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To think that they have been provoked is infuriating, here in Galicia, Spain we know how it goes, because we have been suffering them for years, may hell happily open the doors for all the blasted incendiary people that do it

rebeccalievense avatar
Missy Moo Moo
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They absolutely can NOT look after these koalas until they are healthy!! They have to take them to a registered and licensed koala rehabilitation centre. If they try to care for them, these koalas will die

jettewangwahnon avatar
Jette Wang Wahnon
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While I applaud the rescue of these koalas,thank God for these amazing young boys,I also know that they need special care and that care is not for the inexperienced,but well-meaning 18 and 19 years old.Do continue looking for koalas,but deliver them to the Kangaroo Island rescue Park....maybe you can even volunteer to help and thus get more knowledge on how to care for the animals.Best of luck boys!

Load More Replies...
stevenjordan_1 avatar
eSayJay
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Saving as many as they can by searching for lives ones, as opposed to what? Searching for dead ones?

karin-morris-75 avatar
Karin Morris
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

tylerduffy avatar
Tyler Duffy
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

That's great. But please acknowledge that this isn't Climate change, its Terrorism. Over 180 people arrested for arson.

wietske avatar
Wietske Welten
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is misinformation though "The actual number of people charged with deliberately lighting a fire is 24 — even fewer managed to spark large blazes." https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-08/fires-misinformation-being-spread-through-social-media/11846434

Load More Replies...
sarah_collas avatar
SarahCC
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish, I could do the same! But I hope donating also helps

nesakysiukurtaueiti avatar
MagicalUnicorn
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

car full of koalas is great idea to help those adorable marsupials, great job, guys :)

straney-elizabeth avatar
E Menendez
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As wonderful as their efforts are, I hope they are not caring for the animals themselves, but bringing them to a rescue facility. They could actually do more harm if they do not.

Load More Replies...
ajcreasey avatar
seanforrester avatar
Sean Forrester
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry mate but a car load of angry, half burnt, deadly and venomous snakes aren't quite as appealing.

Load More Replies...
starter_up avatar
Patty Atwan
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think these boys are wonderful!! God bless them, the firefighters and anyone who helps.

kikkaio avatar
Kikka io
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

if I lived in those places I really think I would do the same, given what is happening, and I am not 19 years old, but even if I am an old woman, in comparison to those boys, I would go out of my way to try to save the lives of innocent people animals, which suffer what is almost certainly an affront by men to the nature of their lands.

christysmith_1 avatar
Christy Smith
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didn’t realize that they’re so domesticated & trusting of humans.

james_fox1984 avatar
I’m Foxxy and I know it 😉
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They usually aren’t, koalas can be quite aggressive. I think they know that we are their best chance of survival so put their trust in us.

Load More Replies...
cruzarts avatar
Steve Cruz
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After all of the animals that have been destroyed by these fires, scolding comments are uncalled for. Best of luck to the boys and their rescues.

rhodabike6 avatar
Seabeast
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope that the not-so-cute animals like Tasmanian devils are also being saved.

katiehayes_3 avatar
DrGirlfriend
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok so this is huge fkn POS climate change deniers looking for fkn sympathy I can't delete my emotional response but I did do some poking around afterwards and realized your a fkn tool and spreading garbage info you fkn tart

katiehayes_3 avatar
DrGirlfriend
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This went into wrong space omg fkn this app. This kid was screaming that terrorist 180 in fact started these fires and I was shocked and responded before I looked it up no it's climate change it's miserable climate change and this tart is spreading terrorists did this, so I blabed out above response to a Tyler something, not the OP . Op is a saint and those kids are saving those poor animals they are saints I posted in wrong spot somehow I'm sorry

Load More Replies...
sharronlparsons avatar
sharron lynn parsons
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is extremely horrific, devastating to know of the loss of animals, also the ones that suffered severely, I do pray every night for the fire to stop, Bless all who help !!!

cjucz22 avatar
Christina Uhlir
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank you for your good intentions, but prayers don't help. We cannot go on plundering and destroying nature, and when it starts to endanger our own survival, ask Got to fix all that devastation and suffering we caused. It doesn't work.

Load More Replies...
moustache04 avatar
EC Moustache
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it is sad that so many of these animals have passed on, but I am glad there are brave people like you willing to help them. I live in Canada but I am still very grateful to you for saving these lives.

cjucz22 avatar
Christina Uhlir
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The survival of the entire world depends on young people like Micah and Celeb; they are extraordinary human beings; however, I think that they can't care for those injured creatures by themselves, these animals need medical attention.

helveteschrist avatar
Nick Nickson
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel so sorry for those poor animals. Not people, just innocent animals.

daynavalentine avatar
Dayna Valentine
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's good what they've done, however injured koalas require specialised care, hopefully the boys aren't just looking after them on their own.

etnarudotrebor avatar
Roberto Durante
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

such great peoples, thank you for saving them, they need your help

katrinac avatar
Myxomatosis
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm am so far in debt I cannot help. I am in tears daily over this. All of this animals are endangered species now and their Prime Minister denied climate change and went on vacation for a month.

meru_the_dragoon2000 avatar
Munyo Koeshna
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's sad they ended up putting down a lot of the ones brought in..thats disappointing considering the amount of loss already ihope the ones they have thrive.

jksimm515 avatar
Koalamonster
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is such a strong mix of sad and... kind of happy because people are very much trying.... mostly it's just sad though.

brandygrote avatar
Brandy Grote
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The last chlamydia free colony of koalas. Glad a few can be saved!

maurokasey avatar
Kasey Mauro
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this!!!!!! I'm in the USA and have donated to several different things. I wish I could fly there and help them too!

isogsargent avatar
Isog Sargent
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cloth seats??? Those dumb little bastards are going to s**t all over the car.

carol-mcclellan-5 avatar
Carol McClellan
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What gets to me is how many acres have been burned. I read that Australia has lost about 115.5 acres (converted from hectares). I live in the state of Wisconsin which is about 34.7 acres. That means it would burn about half the state if it was here.

suegreene avatar
Sue Clasen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To think that they have been provoked is infuriating, here in Galicia, Spain we know how it goes, because we have been suffering them for years, may hell happily open the doors for all the blasted incendiary people that do it

rebeccalievense avatar
Missy Moo Moo
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They absolutely can NOT look after these koalas until they are healthy!! They have to take them to a registered and licensed koala rehabilitation centre. If they try to care for them, these koalas will die

jettewangwahnon avatar
Jette Wang Wahnon
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While I applaud the rescue of these koalas,thank God for these amazing young boys,I also know that they need special care and that care is not for the inexperienced,but well-meaning 18 and 19 years old.Do continue looking for koalas,but deliver them to the Kangaroo Island rescue Park....maybe you can even volunteer to help and thus get more knowledge on how to care for the animals.Best of luck boys!

Load More Replies...
stevenjordan_1 avatar
eSayJay
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Saving as many as they can by searching for lives ones, as opposed to what? Searching for dead ones?

karin-morris-75 avatar
Karin Morris
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

tylerduffy avatar
Tyler Duffy
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

That's great. But please acknowledge that this isn't Climate change, its Terrorism. Over 180 people arrested for arson.

wietske avatar
Wietske Welten
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is misinformation though "The actual number of people charged with deliberately lighting a fire is 24 — even fewer managed to spark large blazes." https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-08/fires-misinformation-being-spread-through-social-media/11846434

Load More Replies...
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