Australia's Fires
Currently, the deadliest fire ever to burn in Australia is raging through forests and towns, leaving massive destruction in its wake. When it was named the 'deadliest fire', the death toll was specifically human. No one has taken the time to count, or attempt a count, the number of animals killed in the flames.
There have however, been reports of Kangaroos jumping away from the forest line, backs lit up like torches. Livestock trapped within pens, forgotten in the panic, burn alive or break out, only to die later from burns or smoke inhalation. Another animal that has been overlooked in the chaos is the Koala.
Thanks to a very low metabolic rate (possibly from low levels of protein and high levels of toxins in their food, the koala sleeps or rests motionless for over 16 hours a day. Though they can move decently quickly among the trees, they do not like to walk, and are very slow on the ground. Add this to the fact that the trees are so heavy with eucalyptus oil that it hangs among them in a haze; it's high flammability causing some trees to randomly combust in the heat. This entire equation adds up to fast burning trees and slow moving animals who have little chance of escape.
There is however, one little piece of sunshine that has broken through the smoke. As one firefighter was walking through the charred forest, looking for hot spots, he came upon a koala. Burnt and dehydrated it looked right at him, pleading. Koalas are not the kindest of animals, despite their cuddly appearance, but this creatures look of desperation showed a need beyond natural habit. The firefighter called for a bottle of water, and then fed it to the koala (a female nicknamed Sam) while holding her little hand. He stayed with it until animal services could assist. She was brought to a rehab center, where she is recovering with antibiotics. She even has an admirer, a young male who constantly has his arms around her, cradling her.
Sometimes you have to look at the small victories.
Here is the picture.
There have however, been reports of Kangaroos jumping away from the forest line, backs lit up like torches. Livestock trapped within pens, forgotten in the panic, burn alive or break out, only to die later from burns or smoke inhalation. Another animal that has been overlooked in the chaos is the Koala.
Thanks to a very low metabolic rate (possibly from low levels of protein and high levels of toxins in their food, the koala sleeps or rests motionless for over 16 hours a day. Though they can move decently quickly among the trees, they do not like to walk, and are very slow on the ground. Add this to the fact that the trees are so heavy with eucalyptus oil that it hangs among them in a haze; it's high flammability causing some trees to randomly combust in the heat. This entire equation adds up to fast burning trees and slow moving animals who have little chance of escape.
There is however, one little piece of sunshine that has broken through the smoke. As one firefighter was walking through the charred forest, looking for hot spots, he came upon a koala. Burnt and dehydrated it looked right at him, pleading. Koalas are not the kindest of animals, despite their cuddly appearance, but this creatures look of desperation showed a need beyond natural habit. The firefighter called for a bottle of water, and then fed it to the koala (a female nicknamed Sam) while holding her little hand. He stayed with it until animal services could assist. She was brought to a rehab center, where she is recovering with antibiotics. She even has an admirer, a young male who constantly has his arms around her, cradling her.
Sometimes you have to look at the small victories.
Here is the picture.