Soldiers Helping Tackle Bushfires In Australia Are Spending Their Days Off Caring For Displaced Koalas

Jan 31, 2020 by apost team

Koalas, one of the most recognizable symbols of Australia, have been hit particularly hard by the wildfires that have ravaged the Land Down Under. Of the nearly one billion animals feared dead in the tragedy, koalas are believed to have died in the thousands.

Even worse, up to 30 percent of the species’ habitat is believed to have been destroyed in the blaze, leading to greater problems for the iconic animals in the future, reports The Guardian. Thankfully, countless people have come to the aid of the koalas, including the Australian Army.

Battling the wildfires has been difficult for the country’s firefighters, so much so that, in an unprecedented decision, the government has called up 3,000 army reservists to provide assistance, confirms NPR News. The reservists perform firefighting duties as well as helping in evacuations.

Like their firefighter compatriots, the men and women of Australia’s military serve many hours for seemingly endless stretches of time. While most people wouldn’t begrudge these soldiers some well-deserved time off, many are volunteering in koala rescue centers to care for the beloved symbol of their nation.

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One such group of soldiers is the South Australian and Tasmanian 16 Regiment Emergency Support Force. The 16 Regiment recently made viral headlines when they volunteered at Cleland Wildlife Park. Workers with the park shared photos of the soldiers feeding and cuddling the koalas on their Facebook page.

The soldiers also helped park staff build a new climbing mount for the facility’s adorable patients. The post added that overall, the 16 Regiment’s help was a huge morale booster for the park’s harried caretakers, says NDTV.

The Australian Army also says that it is deploying some of the organization’s veterinarians to help out rescue workers. One such group of veterinarians are from the 9th Brigade, which was deployed to Kangaroo Island. In an interview with the Australian Army’s official YouTube channel, Captain Garrett Hall said that it was a difficult situation as dozens of koalas need to be treated for burns, particularly on their hands and face.

Nevertheless, Captain Hall says that the work is incredibly rewarding, and he is happy to help the koalas. Captain Hall further told of how private soldiers attached with the veterinary teams have also been contributing to rescue efforts in unexpected ways. Usually, these soldiers serve their teams as drivers, but are now helping as veterinary assistants.

What do you think of how the Australian Army has been deployed to help battle the wildfires? Tell us in the comments and pass this story on to your friends and loved ones who might need to see this.