Wildfire victimizes wildlife in Australia

Firefighters are getting a grip on Australia's deadly brushfires, but they are still tallying the damage -- at least 181 people have died and hundreds of homes have been destroyed.  According to Reuters, the disaster area is more than twice the size of London and it is home to some of Australia's most famous animals. Above, an injured koala gets a sip of water from firefighter David Tree.  Below, kangaroos are seen amid a charred landscape.

--Alice Short

Photos: Koala by Mark Pardew / Associated Press; kangaroos by Luis Ascui / Getty Images.

Comments

[Ines de Pablo]

Is there an Australian HSUS equivalent helping misplaced wildlife ? If not relocated, how is the wildlife expected to make it?

[Melinda]

Yes, we have wildlife rescue. That particular Koala is doing well in a wildlife rescue haven. She is expected to make a full recovery.

[spot_the_dog]

Sam the Koala (yes, she's a girl) is recovering well from her burns sustained in Victoria's bushfires, at a shelter in Rawson, Vic. Updated photos with animal carer Colleen Wood, taken by Rebecca Michael, plus links, here:
http://tinyurl.com/clrr9k

[Joanne Siddall]

Australia has excellent wildlife rescue organizations. They desperately need our financial help . Please donate . Here are 2 links.
RSPCA
http://www.rspcavic.org/campaigns_news/news_bushfires.htm

Wildlife Victoria http://www.wildlifevictoria.org.au/cms/index.php

[Amy]

is there a text/phone to donate number? for people with no credit cards to donate by phone?

[spot_the_dog]

Amy (5:54pm), if you go to the link above in my 1:11am comment, at the bottom of the page is a link to "How To Help." One way, if you don't have a credit card, may be to transfer a direct deposit (minimum $5 I think) to the Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund. The BSB and account number at the National Australia Bank (NAB) for that fund are available at the link via site above. There may also be other ways.

Please, though, ALWAYS do "due diligence" to make sure that the organisation you're donating to is "legit" - check with the Red Cross or the official Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund via internet/email to be sure.

And as an Aussie, I would like to say how touched I am by the personal messages and personal donations coming in from so many Americans; they were talking about it on breakfast radio today. Bless you all!

[spot_the_dog]

Also, more relevant websites for people who would like to help, including with the animals:

Wildlife Victoria - http://www.wildlifevictoria.org.au/
RSPCA Victoria - http://www.rspcavic.org/

or directly to the bushfire appeal:
http://www.redcross.org.au/default.asp

The recent devastating bushfires have injured so many animals, and the existing clinics close to the fires are working overtime to save them - but they are doing a stellar job.

[Cashcleaner]

Hey! I got a crazy idea. Why not instead of just sending money to help care for the poor animals affected by these terrible fires, we also send some to the Red Cross or other organizations that will help our FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS as well.