Heartbreaking photos show a very thirsty koala begging cyclists for water as almost a third of its species have died due to devastating bushfires.
The poor creature was almost run over by cyclists who immediately helped the animal as it sat on the road in scorching 40 degrees Celsius heat.
Anna Heusler was with the team of cyclists when they stopped to move the ‘very thirsty boy’ off the road.
“None of us have ever seen anything like it,” she said. “I stopped on my bike and he walked right up to me, quite quickly for a koala, and as I was giving him a drink from all our water bottles, he actually climbed up onto my bike.”
According to reports, a third of koalas in the area have been wiped out by apocalyptic bushfires that are destroying more than five million hectares of Australian outback and suburban region.
Sussan Ley, Australia’s Federal Environment Minister, confirmed that around 8,000 koalas have passed away in New South Wales alone because of the fires.
The approximation is still pending a more accurate calculation as soon as the ‘fires are calmed down.’
Sue Ashton, president of the koala hospital, said: “What generally happens in a fire is the koala climbs right up to the top of the tree and curls into a little ball.
“So often the flames will just go over the top and singe the outside, but with really intense fires it can burn them alive.”
Koalas are not the only creatures in dangers. According to experts, almost half a billion native wild animals have died.
The Kangaroo Island dunnart and western ground parrot are also in serious danger.
The record-breaking in Australia destroyed almost 1,000 homes and killed nine people including two firefighters who passed away while fighting bushfires.
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Replaced!