The koala is already on the Red List of Threatened Species, classified as being vulnerable. But now, the prospects for the survival of these animals grow much dimmer due to the devastating bushfires that have already destroyed over 2.5 million acres of Australia’s east coast. However, one brave act has given the country hope in fighting the destructive blaze. After coming across a koala crossing a road within an area being consumed by the flames in New South Wales, a courageous local woman named Toni immediately rushed to the animal’s rescue, wrapping the koala in her own shirt and pouring water over it. The scene was captured on a video that has since gone viral.
The hero said that she intended to take the injured koala to the nearby Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, a facility that specializes in caring for the species and is caring for up to 15 other affected koalas.
Destructive brush fires have already burned over 2.5 million acres on Australia’s east coast.
The koala population has been one of the hardest hit by this situation.
It’s estimated that around 350 koalas are believed to have already died from the brutal brush fires that have torn through a koala habitat in New South Wales.
Search, and rescue teams continue their efforts to rescue these animals around the clock.
At this time, they’ve saved at least 31 koalas and brought them to Port Macquarie Koala Hospital to be treated for burns and dehydration.
The hospital, as well as a few other organizations, started a GoFundMe campaign to purchase and install automatic drinking stations within the burnt areas to assist in koala and wildlife survival.
However, since they already raised over $879,000 (the original goal was $25,000), the project has been expanded.
Numerous volunteer groups are also rescuing koalas found burned and dehydrated after the fires.
Koalas are especially at risk during fires because they instinctively climb to treetops, straight into the heat.
And even if they manage to survive the fires, they still must walk across scorched earth when they make it 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 still in tears after witnessing the woman’s heroic actions. Here are just a few comments.
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Source: Bored Panda