Feb 6, 2009: Hot and wet ... koala.

[xoxoxoBruce]

So you wouldn't recommend holding hands with them?

[Aliantha]

Not under normal circumstances.

Nothing is normal at the moment though.

[ZenGum]

The email I got that picture with came via a firefighter, and said the little feller got through three bottles of water before he was done.

I find it a very touching picture; the burnt out bush, the tired, hard fireman, so tenderly caring for the little koala, with such anthropomophic posture and body language between them.

I can only guess that the fire there was less intense - there is unburnt bracken in the background, and a crown fire kills everything up to the tree tops, including the koalas.

[xoxoxoBruce]

I got the email showing the pictures you posted from a friend in Australia last Monday (the 3rd) but the pictures of the bicycle riders and the picture of the fireman I found on the net. There's been tons of pictures posted on the net, mostly very sad, some down right frightening, but a few heart warming like the fireman.

[opinion] Most Aussies are salt of the Earth, strong character, types, that will take this disaster in stride and bounce back smarter and stronger.[opinion]

[ZenGum]

That Koala with the firefighter is now famous. That incident in the photo was also captured on video, and the TV news followed the story.
She was quite trusting of humans, was patted, picked up, named Sam, taken to an animal rescue volunteer's house, her burns treated (on the kitchen floor), and has been placed with another koala with whom she has bonded. She'll be in care for up to 7 months, they reckon.

[SPUCK]

Yeah, then it will get the medical bill...

[Griff]

Beautiful stuff. Some times people don't suck.

[Shawnee123]

Originally Posted by Griff

Beautiful stuff. Some times people don't suck.

My sentiments exactly.


aside: I can't read your user title without cracking up, Griff.

[sugarpop]

Originally Posted by Griff

Beautiful stuff. Some times people don't suck.

*sniff* once in a while, eh?

[ZenGum]

This is aimed both to Cellar Dwellars, and especially to the many visitors who pop in for the Image of the Day.

I know we should prioritise human welfare in such a disaster but the charitable response to human need has been amazing and there hasn't been as much media attention on the impact on wildlife. Unlike human care agencies, wildlife carers receive NO government funding and desperately need supplies to care for the bushfire victims.

A friend of mine with links to animal welfare groups (sensible ones like RSPCA, not PETA) has provided me with this list of legitimate groups caring for injured and displaced wildlife.

So, if you want to help the koalas and kangaroos and all the other cute furry critters which are injured, homeless and faced with starvation, please donate to any of the following.

Donations can be made on line.

Wildlife Victoria: www.wildlifevictoria.org.au

AWARE (Australian Wildlife Assistance Rescue and Education) http://home.vicnet.net.au/~beaware/Index.html

WRAP Wildlife (Wildlife Rescue and Protection) http://www.wrap.org.au/

BADGER Emergency Wildlife Rescue Gippsland & District http://www.wildlifeshelter.org.au/gippsland.htm

WRIN (Wildlife Rescue and Information Network) http://www.wrin.asn.au/links.htm

Help for Wildlife http://www.helpforwildlife.com/

: shakes tin, smiles :

BTW, that firefighter's name is David TREE
He says the reason the koala was holding his hand was that he had put some water in his cupped palm for the koala to drink, but her paw was burned and she preferred to soak it in the water for pain relief.

ETA: They will need money for 6 to 12 months to come, so even if you are visiting this site months after this post, your donation is still very welcome.

[Aliantha]

Thanks for that Zen. We'll put a bit in the tin later on today.

[Shawnee123]

I went to one earlier today, and when it got to "state or territory" for where I am, all I got was Aussie territories. I did pick US as country previously.

I'll check more when I feel up to it. Thanks for the llinks Zen.

[Cloud]

I see the koala rescue thing has been picked up by Time as a photo essay:

http://www.time.com/time/photogaller...881664,00.html

[xoxoxoBruce]

From Cloud's Time link;

During his encounter, Tree said, "You watch. He'll get hydrated then he'll rip the absolute f___ing s__t out of me."

[xoxoxoBruce]

Not just fires, floods in Queensland.