Australia’s recent bushfires have been making headlines worldwide, especially due to their devastating impact on the country’s wildlife.
The koala population, already at risk, has been hit hard, with around 8,000 koalas lost and 30% of their habitat destroyed.
Since the fires began in New South Wales in September, there’s been a wave of support for these adorable creatures.
Animal hospitals, sanctuaries, and everyday heroes have been tirelessly working to rescue koalas caught in the midst of this disaster.
Every day, hundreds of Australians, both professionals and volunteers, are on the front lines fighting the fires and aiding those affected.
A key player in these efforts are the detection dogs, bravely searching through the fire-ravaged areas to find people and animals in need.
One such hero is Keli, a young detection dog, who miraculously found a tiny baby koala, weighing less than a pound, amidst the charred remains of its home.
This little survivor was taken to the Koala Hospital Port Macquarie, where he was treated for a severe fungal infection.
It’s unclear if he was separated from his mother due to his condition or if he lost his family to the fires.
Either way, he was all alone, weighing just 275 grams (9.7 ounces).
The hospital staff named the baby koala Keli, in honor of the dog who saved him.
After successful treatment of his infection, Keli’s fur began to regrow, and by early January, he weighed a healthy 1kg (2.2lbs).
The hospital shared an uplifting update: “Just a brighter moment in all the tragedy in Australia at the moment we wanted to share something good. Meet Koala Street Keli who was found abandoned on the ground on 8th September 2019, in very poor shape with a fungal infection and only weighing 275 grams. Look at Keli today a whopping 1 kg in weight, the fungal infection has gone and all his fur is regrowing. its still early days yet, we will get very excited when he makes 2.5 kg and its time for him to come into the ‘dehumanising trees’ in preparation for release back to the wild. Release will not happen until the cooler months, and thankfully there is still some good habitat left in selected locations.”
Despite this heartwarming story, the Koala Hospital is overwhelmed with work, as indicated by a disclaimer on their website about ‘unprecedented demand.’
Tragically, it’s estimated that over 1 billion animals have perished in the Australian wildfires.
The fires, which have now spread to Victoria, are a daily battle, fueled by extreme heat and dry conditions.
This crisis, a clear sign of the escalating global climate emergency, could wreak even more havoc in the next decade.
Comedian Celeste Barber has taken to Instagram to raise awareness and funds, amassing over $35 million for animal protection, fire victims, and firefighting efforts.
While there are success stories like Keli’s, many more animals need our help.
It’s unfortunate when these animals are left defenseless and with no home to return to after devastation wreaks havoc on their homes.
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