Fires in Australia are killing hundreds of koalas - the animals could become extinct by the middle of the century
Fires in Australia are killing hundreds of koalas - the animals could become extinct by the middle of the century
A koala female has been found burned alive in Australian woodland areas while cradling her cub, miraculously unharmed.
The animal was sitting in a fallen tree in the Gold Coast hinterland and protected her little one from the flames that are destroying various areas of the country. This shot has become the symbolic photo of the fires in Australia that are also devastating the eucalyptus forests where the last koalas live.
In fact, at the end of October a fire broke out, caused by a lightning strike that struck a particularly dry area in the wooded areas of Port Macquarie. Since then, due to strong winds and dry climate, the flames spread uncontrollably throughout the forest, destroying over 2000 hectares of land.
In addition to trees, in fires hundreds of wild animals are losing their lives including koalas, who die burnt alive.
Although the flames are also reaching cities and putting the population at risk, residents do not stop trying to save as many animals as possible by taking them out of the burned areas and transporting them to veterinary hospitals.
Koala wounded at Koala Hospital Port Macquarie
The structures that are taking care of the animals, including the Koala Hospital Port Macquarie, are now complete and the collaboration of external veterinarians is needed to be able to rescue all the koalas that arrive even seriously injured.
Koala wounded at Koala Hospital Port Macquarie
The fires have destroyed about two-thirds of koala habitat in the past month, causing the deaths of about half of the koalas living on the Port Macquarie coastal reserve. The koalas that manage to survive suffer serious injuries, especially on the paws.
Chairman of the Australian Koala Foundation Deborah Tabart OAM has stated in relation to the Australian bush fires: “It…
Posted by Australian Koala Foundation on Monday, November 11, 2019
For the koalas who are still in the places affected by the fires, then there is the problem of water. Many animals that survive the flames die from dehydration as they struggle to find water.
Port Macquarie Veterinary Hospital has therefore launched a fundraiser to purchase and distribute automatic watering stations that will help koalas and other wildlife survive.
Sometimes it is necessary to understand what life needs
Saving a living being (whatever it is) brings you closer to perfection
The #ClimateAction is to seek perfection # AUSTRALIANBUSHFIRES #understand pic.twitter.com/BHmA51VjWR
- Earth (@Terra_Pianeta) November 12, 2019
In Australia live between 50 thousand and 100 thousand koalas, which they mainly inhabit eucalyptus forests on the coastal edges. They typically live up to 20 years, carrying their young in a bag and sleeping for up to 18 hours a day.
I koalas are already threatened from the milder climate caused by climate change and deforestation which reduces their habitat.
Habitat lost. A scene from the first search of the Crestwood fire. We found two healthy koalas in large trees, and no injured or dead animals. While this is a good result the destruction of habitat means that koalas can't use the area for a long while.
Posted by Koala Hospital Port Macquarie on Thursday, October 31, 2019
These devastating fires, in addition to directly kill hundreds of specimens, forever destroyed the koala's natural environment and will cause further temperatures to rise. All this will lead to a dangerous decline of koalas, which could become extinct by the middle of the century.
Read also:
- The tender images of kangaroo cubs rescued from fires (PHOTOS AND VIDEO)
- How to make cotton 'pouches' for orphaned kangaroos due to fires in Australia
Tatiana Maselli
cover photo
