The great Australian bushfire of 2019 significantly affected the number of koalas in the wild. As we have discussed in this article, the fire had killed more than 5,000 koalas. Some experts even warned that the marsupials may go extinct in the wild.
Today, 26 koalas that have been treated at Koala Hospital have been released back to the wild. The Koala Hospital is the world’s only hospital that treats just koalas, located in Port Macquarie, Australia.
The hospital staff carefully chose the first batch of koalas that has been relocated to the Lake Innes Nature Reserve. Koalas of different ages and sex have been carefully chosen in the hopes that they will begin the repopulation process for the wild koalas.
The return is taking place earlier than expected. Experts expected that the nature reserve needed more time to regenerate after the devastating fire burnt down most trees. However, a rainfall that exceeded expectations meant that the flora recovered quicker than expected – a pleasant surprise for both humans and koalas.
One of the returning koalas had become famous online because of the severe damage it sustained. Named Anwen, she had a severe burn that covered 90% of her entire body. In October 2019, Koala Hospital staff began their treatment on Anwen. She was the third koala to be treated by the staff.
Through her tenacity and the care of hospital staff, Anwen has miraculously recovered. One Koala Hospital staff mentioned that seeing Anwen leave their facility in a healthy state brought great joy to her work.
Phillipa Harrison, Managing Director of Tourism Australia, said that this story is an inspiring tale during these hard times. In a statement, Harrison stated how this release proves the tenacity of all living things on Australia from its trees to it people.
Although tourists are currently not allowed into Australia, there are still ways that you can learn and support these cute marsupials that are native to Australia.
On the website of the Australian Tourism Board, visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery and animals from the comfort of their homes. You can visit the website here. You can also learn more and help the cause of the Koala Hospital by visiting their online website here.
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Replaced!