Australia Asks for Your Help to Save the Koalas
It is estimated over a million native animals may have perished in the devastating bushfires that are ravishing the south east Australian state of Victoria, including Australia's most popular and loved animal, the koala, who was already battling for survival before the fires came...
MANDURAH, AUSTRALIA, February 24, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Images of Sam the Koala being given a drink of water by a firefighter in Australia has captured the world's attention in recent weeks when the southern Australian state of Victoria experienced the worst bushfire disaster in its history, leaving thousands homeless and over 200 dead. (To see actual footage of how they found Sam and how she trusted the humans, offering her burnt paw while the firefighter gave her water, go to Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XSPx7S4jr4 ).
The landscape has been ravaged and it is estimated that one million native animals may have died in the path of these fires. The ironic thing is that while these fires raged, the top end of Australia was flooding and still is.
CEO of the Australian Koala Foundation, Debora Tabart OAM, spent time in Victoria last week and felt firsthand the terror and anger that fire brings. Tabart said "People just could not believe how hot it was and how quickly it ravaged their lives. Our hearts go out to those who have lost their homes and their loved ones. But to be frank, I do not think that there are going to be many koalas brought into care. I think this fire was so hot that they will have just been killed instantly, which is a blessing in many respects. I also think that many of the koalas that were "asking" for water from humans prior to fires in both Victoria and South Australia during one of the hottest weeks on record may well also have perished. Koalas normally do not drink and over recent days, I have come to think about how those animals were pushed to seek support from the human population when they should just be in good and healthy habitats and living on their own. One has to question whether this is the beginning of global warming in our country. With temperatures peaking at 48 degrees celsius on the day of the fire - I think it is."
There is to be a Royal Commission into the issues surrounding the bushfires and Tabart, along with Mr Dave Mitchell, a GIS mapper and Dr Douglas Kerlin, ecologist, will start preparing documents that will articulate the AKF's land management recommendations for the future of Australia's majestic wildlife.
Tabart went on to say "Australians always want to tame the bush and these fires show we cannot. It is about learning to respect and value our environment. When these fires have been extinguished and the koalas are healed and ready to return to the bush, the Australian Koala Foundation will do everything it can to educate and advise all those in power of what we think might be done better for our future in this uncertain climate arena. Hopefully our mapping expertise will play a vital role in this process and review. I am convinced that we, the people, need to be heard about the future of our planet. "
Prior the bushfires, the AKF was rallying support to raise funds to save Australia's dwindling koala population whose habitats were being destroyed by new housing developments. Now with entire habitats being burned to the ground, the importance of re-establishing suitable trees and habitats for the remaining koalas is critical to ensure the survival and continuation of the species.
More information, koala sponsorship, and donations may be given online at www.savethekoala.com
"Posted with the approval of the Australian Koala Foundation". www.savethekoala.com
Contact: Ms Deborah Tabart
Ph: + 61 (07) 32297233
Cell/mobile: 0407 750 668
Fax: (07) 3221 0337
E-mail: dtabart@savethekoala.com
website: http://www.savethekoala.com
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Donna Eliassen
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