Koala saved from the bushfire
Feb 11th, 2009 | By mervi | Category: Featured articles11.02.2009 by Paula
Firefighter David Tree found this injured koala in a burnt out forest at Mirboo North, about 150km east of Melbourne, Australia. He gave the animal water to drink from his bottle. The koala drank 3 bottles, and grabbed Mr Tree’s hand. Koalas are especially vulnerable to wildfires because they move slowly on the ground.
The firefighters called animal welfare officers to come and pick up the injured animal, a female, now named “Sam.” The koala is now recovering with antibiotics in a wildlife shelter. She suffered 2nd or 3rd degree burns on her paws. Her carers report that a male koala has befriended her, and keeps putting his arms around her.
Today I saw story of the little koala on our German TV. It is so touching to see how much the little one trusts the firefighter. A heartwarming story. Thank you Paula
Dear Paula
Thanks for sharing this photo with us all – a nice story in amongst so much sadness and destruction. I found this video of the little koala as well-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7884868.stm
I hope you and your loved ones are safe and well – this is such a tragedy. With my best wishes, Rosemary
Paula, thank you for posting this. I saw the picture and video and it just touched my heart so much. I thought of you and wondered how you were doing. I’ve never been to Oz but have always loved it from afar. The fires are heartbreaking and this little Koala represents something so dear. Bear hugs to you and all of Australia!
Paula, thank you for contributing this touching photo, which is circling the globe, to this blog. It is evocative of the need to comfort one another, man & beast alike, not only in times of need, but, daily, in caring for this earth we inhabit. Even though the subjects we share may not be to our liking, it is wonderful to be so-in-touch. I’m also thrilled to be hearing that the rescued koala has taken to another koala for comfort! Very, very much needed UP-news in these DOWN-times. Koala bear hugs from Tish
Bea, Betsy, Tish: there have been so many heartbreaking images and stories in our daily news from this tragedy, I won’t relay them. But this image touched my heart so much, I felt like crying when I saw it. I didn’t presume it would be shown overseas, so that’s why I wanted to share it via the blog/KWM, because I knew, as animal lovers and caring people, you would be touched by it too. This man’s actions reminded me of the care shown by Thomas Dorflein. Such kindness and compassion. There is a connection: Bea, as you say, in how the koala trusts the firefighter, the way she is looking up at him , and how he is holding her paw.
I’d like to note that these firefighters are volunteers, they receive no payment for the work they do.
I prayed for the people and animals who were caught in this inferno. It hurt too much to think about the pain and anguish. Too much. Seeing Sam being rescued made me smile a little but I still think about the many others who weren’t so lucky. Thanks for posting.
We are all touched by the rescue and courage of the firefighter.
Paula, thank you for sharing the images with us. Sam is so cute, and it’s wonderful to hear about her koala “boyfriend” taking care of her and helping through the pain.
Rosemary, Celinne, Leaf: You’re welcome. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers for the Australian people. As you say Rosemary, it is one nice story amongst so much sadness and destruction.