Help Thirsty Koalas Devastated by Recent Fires

The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital has been overwhelmed by the kindness, good wishes and support from the Australian and international community for the wildlife icon, the koala.

The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, and National Parks and Wildlife Service crew leaders, have spent weeks searching for koalas following the devastating bush fires in the Port Macquarie area. To date, 31 koalas have been brought to the hospital from several fire grounds.

On admittance to the hospital, a koala is rehydrated and then the following day examined for burns which are treated with burns cream before they are bandaged. The dressings are changed every three days.

Initially, the hospital’s aim was to raise money to purchase and distribute automatic drinking stations which will be installed in the burnt areas to help in koala and wildlife survival.

The number of drinking stations being built has now been increased and they will be shared with other wildlife organisations in fire affected regions across New South Wales. Two are being built for dispatch to the northern rivers fire area next week.

We are also purchasing a water carrying vehicle with fire fighting capabilities to replenish the drinking stations with water as needed.

Donations have now reached an incredible amount and we are extending the project to establish a wild koala breeding program.

In what is a national tragedy, the bushfires in and around Port Macquarie in November, devastated a genetically diverse koala population. As many as 350 koalas have perished with approximately 75% of the fireground footprint being prime koala habitat.

Some of the funds raised through the Go Fund Me site will be directed to building a ‘Koala Ark’, a facility to allow the surviving koalas to be accommodated in a healthy habitat area. Hopefully, these koalas will breed and a new population of koalas will be established for return to the wild.

UPDATE: Searching of the fire site has started and 7 koalas have been brought to the Hospital for treatment. L.I.N.R (Lake Innes Nature Reserve) Paul was the first admitted with burnt feet and hands. Paul was dehydrated and this photo is of him receiving some fluids.

Also is a photo of L.I.N.R Peter who also received burns and singeing to his body. His fur looks quite brown which is the effects of the radiant heat on his fur.

Thank you for your donations which will go towards purchasing automatic drinking stations to help surviving wildlife stay hydrated.