A video went viral in late November of a woman saving a struggling koala from a burning forest in Australia. The koala was seen with bleeding paws and was crying out in pain and fear while being rescued. The video is heartbreaking, yet that story is just one of hundreds. Australian fires are ripping through koala colonies, killing koalas and destroying habitats in their path. Koalas have already been listed as a “vulnerable species under federal environment law in the states of Queensland and New South Wales,” yet some argue them to be even functionally extinct. Either way, with the added damage of these bushfires, the koala population is suffering great losses. One thousand koalas are estimated to have died from the fires and nearly 80% of their habitat destroyed.
Bush fire at Captain Creek central, Queensland, Australia, where koalas are
listed as a vulnerable species.
The fires alone are enough to cause damage to koalas, however, there are also periods drought both prior to and after these bushfires. This causes a long and arduous recovery that may prevent the population from returning to normal. Scientists fear that koalas may be facing extinction by 2050 if these fires continue, which is extremely upsetting news for lovers of this Australian marsupial. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to relieve the disastrous effects of the fires without actually having to physically rescue a koala from a burning forest. You can donate to wildlife hospitals, where they are taking in dozens of koalas to treat the burns on their hands and feet.
A koala receiving treatment in Port Macquarie Koala Hospital after being rescued
from a bushfire, SAEED KHAN, AFP via Getty Images
There have also been GoFundMe campaigns that are using the money to help save the koalas. For example, this page has a goal of $25,000 that will be used to build automatic drinking stations to help any wildlife stay hydrated. This will not only help the koalas, but any species that are suffering from the fires. Good Morning America also shares that the funds will extend to creating a project that will form a wild breeding program to recover the koala population.
By spreading awareness of what is happening in Australia, people will feel motivated to help. Simply telling the story or sharing a video may create a huge difference for the future of koalas.
There are no words to show my appreciation!