Baby Koala Makes Great Recovery After Being Saved From Australia's Bushfires

Jan 08, 2020 by apost team

Baby koalas are called joeys. Normally a joey sits in mom's pouch, nurses, and grows until it can get around on its own, climb trees, and eat leaves. This joey, however, was trapped in Australia's devastating bushfires.

The joey was found lying on the ground in New South Wales in September. His mother's whereabouts are unknown and the worst is feared. The joey weighed in at only 275 g (around 8 ounces) and had lost most of his fur to a fungal infection. He was taken to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital.The staff at the hospital named the joey Keli and set to work saving his life. Four months later, they proudly announced:

"Look at Keli today, a whopping 1 kg in weight, the fungal infection has gone and all his fur is regrowing. It's still early days yet, we will get very excited when he makes 2.5kg."

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They have placed Keli into their "dehumanizing tree facility" where koalas learn to exist on their own before being released back into the wild. They don't plan to release Keli until the fires are under control and the weather is cooler; and while they admit the fires have been devastating, there is still some suitable koala habitat left. According to The Guardian, more than 30% of the koala population and their habitat are believed to have perished in the fires along with at least half a billion other animals.

If you want to help, the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital has set up a GoFundMe called Help Thirsty Koalas Devastated by Recent Fires. Please donate and ask all of your friends to consider donating as well.

Are you looking for a way to help Koalas and other animals trapped in Australia's devastating bushfires? Donating surely can help – be sure to pass this article along to inspire your friends and family to help!