In addition to reaching 104 degrees, Australia is also experiencing widespread wildfires which has already claimed the lives of 4 people. It has now burned over 2.5 million acres and is threatening animals, including the koala. One koala was rescued by a woman who rushed to animal’s aid when she spotted it trying to cross a road.
The koala population has had it very bad with the fires.
Estimates are that as many as 350 koalas have died from the bushfires so far.
When the woman, named Toni noticed a koala, she immediately rushed to its aid. She then wrapped it in her shirt off her own back.
She says the koala was scorched and was screaming.
She used a bottle of water to soothe the koala’s wounds.
Toni and her husband then wrapped the koala in a blanket.
Once the koala was wrapped up, they then drove it to Port Macquarie Koala Hospital.
“The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, and National Parks and Wildlife Service crew leaders, have spent weeks searching for koalas following the devastating bush fires in the Port Macquarie area,” the hospital explains. “To date, 31 koalas have been brought to the hospital from several fire grounds.”
“As many as 350 koalas have perished with approximately 75% of the fireground footprint being prime koala habitat,” the hospital concluded.
Watch the entire video below:
Unsurprisingly, Toni is being hailed as a hero on Twitter:
“The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, and National Parks and Wildlife Service crew leaders, have spent weeks searching for koalas following the devastating bush fires in the Port Macquarie area,” the hospital explains. “To date, 31 koalas have been brought to the hospital from several fire grounds.”