Watch This Australian Woman Brave A Bush Fire And Use Her Shirt To Rescue An Injured Koala
The koala was in critical condition when he arrived at the hospital.
By May Vin Ang — 21 Nov 2019, 06:49 PM
Australia is currently facing a bush fire crisis brought on by the severe drought and rising temperatures afflicting the country
According to BBC News, the soaring temperatures in South Australia has prompted "catastrophic" alerts - the highest danger rating - on Wednesday, 19 November.
Parts of Victoria have issued the equivalent 'code red' on Thursday, 20 November, while the threat in Tasmania is also said to be increasing.
Since last month, six people have died in the massive bush fires.
The blazes have also destroyed more than 500 houses across the country and prompted debates on the impacts of drought and climate change.
New South Wales Rural Fire Service fights a fire as it burns close to a property northwest of Sydney on 19 November.
Image via The AtlanticHowever, amidst the soaring fires, has emerged a hero who took the time and trouble to save an animal in dire need of rescue
In a viral Facebook video posted by KXAN News on Tuesday, 19 November, an injured koala can be seen crossing a road, attempting to escape the surrounding bushfires.
The koala appears to be alone, clinging helplessly to a tree trunk until a kind woman comes to its rescue.
She is seen picking the koala off the tree with the shirt she was wearing and dashing out of the bush with the marsupial wrapped in her clothing.
The traumatised koala was crying aloud when the woman gave it a drink and doused it in water to cool its burnt body
The male koala - now named Lewis - was in critical condition when he arrived at Port Macquarie Koala Hospital
The hospital told Nine News yesterday, 20 November, that Lewis' health hangs in a balance.
"His feet are completely burnt and he has burns to his chest and stomach," explained the spokesperson.
"He has been bandaged and given antibiotics but will take a lot of looking after, if he pulls through."
The woman who saved Lewis, now identified as Toni Doherty, has visited him at the hospital.
Doherty told Nine News that the 14-year-old koala was doing well considering the trauma he suffered.
"It's a long road to recovery. He was eating leaves yesterday," she said.
"He has gone to a carer's home away from the koala hospital, where he will receive continuous care."
If Lewis survives, he will be one of the lucky ones.
More than 300 koalas are feared to have been killed this year by the raging bush fires.
The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital even started a GoFundMe account to raise money for the animals' care.
The hospital said at least 31 koalas have been brought in to get hydrated and treated for burns.
It's estimated around 43,000 koalas are left in the wild in Australia, according to the Australian Koala Foundation.
They're listed as "vulnerable" under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
