The Red List of Threatened Species had already classified the koala as vulnerable, but the species is being threatened even more by devastating bushfires that have already burned more than 2.5 million acres of Australia’s east coast.
But one recent act of bravery has given the country hope in fighting the blaze. After spotting a koala crossing a road amongst the flames in New South Wales, a local woman named Toni rushed to the animal’s aid, wrapping it in her shirt and pouring water over it.
The hero said she was planning to take the injured koala to the nearby Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, a facility that is taking care of up to 15 affected koalas.
Devastating bushfires have already burned more than 2.5 million acres of Australia’s east coast
The koala population have had it particularly bad
As many as 350 koalas are feared to have died from bushfires that ripped through a vital koala habitat in New South Wales
Search and rescue teams are working the area non-stop
So far, they’ve brought at least 31 koalas to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital to be treated for burns and dehydration
The hospital and a few other organizations created a GoFundMe campaign to purchase automatic drinking stations and install them in the burnt areas to help in koala and wildlife survival
However, since people have already raised over $879,000 (the goal was $25,000), the project is being expanded
Volunteer groups are also taking in koalas found burned and dehydrated after the fires
Koalas are especially vulnerable to the fires because they instinctively climb to the tops of trees, straight into the heat
Even if they survive the fires, they still have to walk across scorched earth when they come down
“This male koala who was so disorientated by the flames and unfortunately was burnt further as he headed back into active fire. He has been called Ellenborough Lewis (after her grandchild). He has been treated and is now in the five star accommodation at the Koala Hospital”, reported the doctors from Koala Hospital Port Macquarie
Twitter is in tears after seeing the woman’s heroic actions
Image credits: vjntagebarnes
Image credits: suzenelson_suze
Image credits: EemsterKpop
Image credits: kcmoLEW
Image credits: beechLAD_
Image credits: noize_filter
Image credits: CFanos
Image credits: PJnotPam
Image credits: Pinkgelato15
Image credits: rjr47685486
Image credits: krashe848
Not all heroes wear capes ... or shirts
The dude at the bottom is a little shit.
I just want to say a HUGE thank you to all the men and women helping during this devastating time whether they are fire fighters, other emergency responders, volunteers and even people like the person in the article. Sadly 6 people have died and approx 550 homes have been destroyed. There are still approx 80 fires still blazing in QLD and 54 in NSW. Thirty bushfires including 2 major fires started in my state today too and what makes it worse is we have strong winds predicted over night. So far over 1.7 million hectares have been destroyed and still no sign of an end yet.
This sounds really, really horrible. I sent best wishes from over here. May you all be safe.
there is a follow up news story of this Koala.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IAOWaIbnE4
This is a big disaster... I am crying...
hi Foxxy..I'm in the western subs of Melbourne and when l was moving through the house this morning l could SMELL smoke..the winds are high and coming from the north this morning so it's a possibility that whatever is burning in the lowest parts of NSW just might be carried down here to Victoria..it's an overcast sky above but I'm wondering if that is actual cloud cover..keeping my eyes open..
Carol, there have been spot fires all over vic all day. I live in Gippsland, and work close to the Bunyip State Forest that went up earlier this year. It's frustrating to see that even on days of total fire ban, people will use an open flame with little to no regard for the consequences. Having grown up here, bushfire is part of the life. What saddens me the most, is seeing people blame things like climate change, and not the ridiculous policies that city dwelling men in suits make that increase the likelihood of a fire storm. We're not allowed to clear past 5 meters from our home. FIVE METERS. The cattle used to drove through the bush land, and keep the ground debris at a minimum, which in turn lowered the fuel for fire; but now it's been left to accumulate. As Summer dries it out, the more dangerous it becomes. The powerlines are left unmaintained, 8 outages today at work, from powerlines hitting each other...that's a lot of sparks, and a high risk. It's maddening to watch.
well it turned out what l must have been smelling was probably one/some of the spot fires that flared up that day..l know some are lit by idiots, but l tend to wonder if some don't start because of sun reflecting on/through any dumped glass in the bush..that is a possibility..idiots throw their rubbish in the bushland not thinking of what might happen from it..
Hi Carol there's more than one place that could be coming from :((( >>>https://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/_____ ____>>>>>https://sentinel.ga.gov.au/#/
Oh no, I hope that doesn’t happen. I hope you and everyone else stay safe and get out if it comes to it. All the best
Oh my god. This is just heartbreaking. I won't ever forget his crys... I wonder what happened to the little guy? Kudos to the lady, she's my hero of the day.
He has been treated and is now staying at the Koala Hospital Port Macquarie
Thank you. Glad to hear the good news. :)
Update: The little guy is on his long journey to recovery. They say he has a 50:50 chance to survive because of his severe burnings. Pray for the sweet buddy and all of his furry friends (and non furry too). :)
Thank you for updating us. Unfortunately, i doubt the trauma will be easily forgotten. All the very best to all concerned.
He's not out of the woods yet as his burns are pretty severe. Here's an update with new pics. https://www.9news.com.au/national/nsw-bushfires-koala-rescued-from-flames-may-not-survive-injuries/be828f6e-6216-4062-8fb7-421ca9acf236
Please keep us posted
No they took him out of the woods bc it was on fire?
He has been put down due to his extensive burns :-(
I just read about it. It's so sad the little fella didn't make it. :'((((
She is hero, period.
Not all heroes wear capes ... or shirts
The dude at the bottom is a little shit.
I just want to say a HUGE thank you to all the men and women helping during this devastating time whether they are fire fighters, other emergency responders, volunteers and even people like the person in the article. Sadly 6 people have died and approx 550 homes have been destroyed. There are still approx 80 fires still blazing in QLD and 54 in NSW. Thirty bushfires including 2 major fires started in my state today too and what makes it worse is we have strong winds predicted over night. So far over 1.7 million hectares have been destroyed and still no sign of an end yet.
This sounds really, really horrible. I sent best wishes from over here. May you all be safe.
there is a follow up news story of this Koala.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IAOWaIbnE4
This is a big disaster... I am crying...
hi Foxxy..I'm in the western subs of Melbourne and when l was moving through the house this morning l could SMELL smoke..the winds are high and coming from the north this morning so it's a possibility that whatever is burning in the lowest parts of NSW just might be carried down here to Victoria..it's an overcast sky above but I'm wondering if that is actual cloud cover..keeping my eyes open..
Carol, there have been spot fires all over vic all day. I live in Gippsland, and work close to the Bunyip State Forest that went up earlier this year. It's frustrating to see that even on days of total fire ban, people will use an open flame with little to no regard for the consequences. Having grown up here, bushfire is part of the life. What saddens me the most, is seeing people blame things like climate change, and not the ridiculous policies that city dwelling men in suits make that increase the likelihood of a fire storm. We're not allowed to clear past 5 meters from our home. FIVE METERS. The cattle used to drove through the bush land, and keep the ground debris at a minimum, which in turn lowered the fuel for fire; but now it's been left to accumulate. As Summer dries it out, the more dangerous it becomes. The powerlines are left unmaintained, 8 outages today at work, from powerlines hitting each other...that's a lot of sparks, and a high risk. It's maddening to watch.
well it turned out what l must have been smelling was probably one/some of the spot fires that flared up that day..l know some are lit by idiots, but l tend to wonder if some don't start because of sun reflecting on/through any dumped glass in the bush..that is a possibility..idiots throw their rubbish in the bushland not thinking of what might happen from it..
Hi Carol there's more than one place that could be coming from :((( >>>https://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/_____ ____>>>>>https://sentinel.ga.gov.au/#/
Oh no, I hope that doesn’t happen. I hope you and everyone else stay safe and get out if it comes to it. All the best
Oh my god. This is just heartbreaking. I won't ever forget his crys... I wonder what happened to the little guy? Kudos to the lady, she's my hero of the day.
He has been treated and is now staying at the Koala Hospital Port Macquarie
Thank you. Glad to hear the good news. :)
Update: The little guy is on his long journey to recovery. They say he has a 50:50 chance to survive because of his severe burnings. Pray for the sweet buddy and all of his furry friends (and non furry too). :)
Thank you for updating us. Unfortunately, i doubt the trauma will be easily forgotten. All the very best to all concerned.
He's not out of the woods yet as his burns are pretty severe. Here's an update with new pics. https://www.9news.com.au/national/nsw-bushfires-koala-rescued-from-flames-may-not-survive-injuries/be828f6e-6216-4062-8fb7-421ca9acf236
Please keep us posted
No they took him out of the woods bc it was on fire?
He has been put down due to his extensive burns :-(
I just read about it. It's so sad the little fella didn't make it. :'((((
She is hero, period.