During the fires that continue to affect Australia, this woman saved a koala from certain death by throwing herself into the flames.
Australia continues to burn and along with the country many animals, endangered by the flames. Among these ikpot, a species already considered endangered by the WWF, now further threatened by the terrible fires which are burning the east coast of the country and which have devastated a wooded area near Port Macquarie, in New South Wales, where hundreds are feared to have died.
Indeed, here, it is easy to come across specimens frightened by flames, which often, unfortunately, climb the treetops to save themselves, ending up roasted instead.
Rescuing them is not easy but luckily, a woman named Toni succeeded in the arduous task: when she saw a koala crossing the road in the middle of the fires, she was rushed to his aid, wrapping the animal in its shirt and pouring water over it.
Koala Rescue in the NSW Bushfires
Another day, another Koala rescue from the #NSWbushfires. This poor Koala, suddenly appeared out of flames near Long Flat. We'll have his progress on 9 News Sydney tonight at 6.00pm. #9News | http://9News.com.au
Posted by 9 News Sydney on Monday, November 18, 2019
Toni then traveled to Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, where they are treated for burns and dehydration. Here his friend was treated and named "Ellenborough Lewis" in honor of his nephew, as reported on the hospital's facebook page:
This lady is Toni - she is an absolute legend for catching this male koala who was so bewildered by the flames and sadly burned further away as he headed for the fire. He was named Ellenborough Lewis (in honor of his he grandson). He was treated and is now in the five-star facility of the Koala Hospital.
Meanwhile, Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, along with other organizations, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to purchase automatic watering stations and install them in burned areas to help koalas survive while promoting wildlife survival.
Many people, seeing Toni's heroic gesture, commented on it on Twitter expressing gratitude to her. And we join them too, thanks Toni for having saved this koala from the flames!
https://twitter.com/vjntagebarnes/status/1196881640238329856
Please think of all the animals: in Brazil, where they are slashing and burning the Amazon, in California, in Russia, in Alaska. We are watching a mass extinction.
- MynameisPJ ???? (@PJnotPam) November 19, 2019
Hooo. Not sure the heartbreak & genetic pain memory were worth the watching. But God bless that wonderful woman who stripped off her clothes *in a fire* to save a helpless creature. That’s a part I want to remember—and that the little guy survived.
— Connie Fanos (@CFanos) November 20, 2019
You might also like:
- Australia: the moving video of a koala being rescued after the fires
- It's official: koalas are functionally extinct
Photo Credit: Facebook
