Australian Teenagers Drove Around Bushfires & Rescued As Many Injured Koalas As They...

Australian Teenagers Drove Around Bushfires & Rescued As Many Injured Koalas As They Could Spot

As Australia battles unprecedented bushfires, nearly 25,000 koalas have died in the raging flames.  The iconic marsupials are considered vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and their population has declined due to human encroachment and climate change.


Harrowing videos of koalas show them struggling with painful burn injuries and thirst, in the steadily increasing temperatures. In a bid to help these slow-moving creatures from the devastating fires, people have sprung into action.

More recently, two teenagers took it upon themselves to save as many injured koalas as possible, after bushfires devastated their habitat on Kangaroo Island.

Sam Mitchell, co-owner of the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, told Guardian Australia that "probably more than half" of the island's koalas would have perished in the fires.

The teenagers filmed their journey as they loaded several koalas into their car - they rescued as many as they could spot. 19-year-old Micah and 18-year-old Caleb have now set an example with their selfless effort to save the animals. 

Out of the total Koalas they rescued, six were orphaned and two of them were mothers with children. 

Amid the terrible bushfires in Australia, my cousins went out and saved as many koalas as they could. Good on em. Thought reddit would support and appreciate their efforts! from r/HumansBeingBros

Reportedly, the teenagers will not only take care of the marsupials but will also ensure their return to wildlife once the situation is contained.  Micah and Caleb estimate that they saved about 20 koalas by driving around the island and putting them in their car. According to the boys, 60 per cent of the koalas they came across, had burned to death.

The boys have refused to take the koalas off the island, because according to them it would further have an adverse effect as they are already traumatised after the fires. 

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