A koala that was saved from a horrible fate by a kind-hearted passerby passed.
Despite ‘around the clock care’ at Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, the koala, nicknamed Ellenborough Lewis, the name of the grandchild of the woman who rescued the animal, the substantial burns that the koala suffered were life-threatening.
“We recently posted that ‘burn injuries can get worse before they get better,'” the hospital wrote. “In Ellenborough Lewis’s case, the burns did get worse, and unfortunately would not have gotten better. The Koala Hospital’s number one goal is animal welfare, so it was on those grounds that this decision was made.”
Before Lewis passed, the hospital shared an update on Facebook, saying: “As we have had so many inquiries regarding Lewis please see the below:
“Ellenborough Lewis has burns to his hands, feet, arms and the inside of his legs. He is receiving substantial pain relief (as are all the other burnt koalas who require it, and some certainly don’t), and he is in-home care receiving ’round the clock care.
“It’s early days yet for him, and with anyone who suffers burns human or animal, things can often get worse before they get better.”
Motorist Toni Doherty saved Lewis after she spotted him looking disoriented and walking straight back towards the bushfires.
Without hesitation, Toni stopped the car, took off her top, and scooped Lewis up using her top to help pry him from the tree he was clinging to and wrapped him up.
Along with a bottle of water, Toni also used her top to put out the flames eating away at Lewis. She then wrapped him up in a blanket and took him to her car.
The daring rescue catapulted the koala to the headlines.
Apart from Lewis, dozens of other injured koalas are being cared for by hospitals and veterinarians.
A fundraiser was set up called Help Thirsty Koalas Devastated By Recent Fires to help pay for the care of these injured koalas.
Replaced!