Queensland and New South Wales in Australia are ablaze with bushfires which have destroyed 2.5 million hectares of land. In the midst of the fires, a disorientated koala was filmed crossing a road making its way towards burning trees.
Toni Doherty, from Port Macquarie, spotted the animal and pursued it. She swiftly removed her top and scooped the animal up from off a tree.
She then darted out of the blaze back to safety. Once she was away from the fire, she gave the marsupial water and poured some over its burning fur. The distressed animal submitted to her care and didn’t try to escape.
At this stage, a man brought a blanket out to Doherty and the koala, which they wrapped him in before leaving with the creature by car.
The animal can be heard crying and screaming in the video
Speaking to Australia’s 9 News, Doherty said: ‘I’ve never heard a koala before. I didn’t realise they could cry out. It was just so heart-rending and I knew I needed to get him out of there as quickly as possible.’
‘He just went straight into the flames, and I just jumped out of the car and went straight to him.’
Since the rescue, Doherty has named the 14-year-old koala ‘Lewis’ after one of her grandchildren. On 20 November she visited him in the hospital and she said that his recovery is going to take some time.
A spokesperson from the hospital said Lewis’ health is touch-and-go: ‘He is probably 50-50 at this stage. He has been bandaged and given antibiotics but will take a lot of looking after, if he pulls through.’
The marsupial’s feet are completely burnt. There are also burns on his chest and stomach. Lewis has been moved to a volunteer carer’s home where he will receive extra special attention and care to help him recover from his injuries.
▶️ Toni Doherty, who rescued a badly burnt koala from an Australian bushfire, was reunited with the koala, since named Lewis, Wednesday, November 20, at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. (REUTERS) pic.twitter.com/JoVIRUuJFJ
— The Voice of America (@VOANews) November 20, 2019
🐨🇦🇺Lewis Update: he had an interesting night at a volunteer carer’s home… managed to get out his basket and knock his water over 🐨 Was given some fresh gum leaves and ate them all up! It’s a long road to recovery but he’s doing ok. Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. @9NewsAUS pic.twitter.com/zIgEySr6Hy
— Lizzie Pearl (@lizziepearl) November 20, 2019
Update 28 November 2019: Lewis, the koala had to be euthanised due to the extent of his wounds.
Image: Screenshot from video
