Animal rescue stories: Australia bushfire

Carly, the rescued kangaroo, undergoes laser treatment for a skin infection likely due to a weakened immune system. She is wearing sunglasses to protect her eyes.

Another wild animal struggling to survive in the burned forests is the echidna. Our friends at Two Thumbs Wildlife Trust and IFAW vet Paul Ramos carefully check in on this handsome fella in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales. 

Meet Billie, a 4-year old koala found just a couple of days ago by Bear, the now famous IFAW/USC koala detection dog. Billie came to us severely dehydrated, and is now receiving treatment. We’re optimistic she’ll live up to her namesake – she was named for Dr. Catherine Schuetze of Vets For Compassion’s 99-year old grandmother, Wilma!

The search for koalas continues. On this week’s "black walk” in the Snowy Mountains outside Cooma, New South Wales, the team found three koalas. Each individual was found all alone, with no food or water sources nearby. With the help of Two Thumbs Wildlife Trust, IFAW’s veterinarian Paul Ramos, and thermal imaging drone footage, we were able to track their locations and assess each koala’s condition. The rescued koalas will receive treatment back at the local triage clinic in Cooma.