Many species are fighting to survive as a result of climate change and deforestation. The koala is one of the animals whose numbers are rapidly dwindling.
Thousands of koalas were harmed by the bushfires that ravaged 19 million hectares of land in 2020-2021.
In addition to the injuries and homelessness suffered by koalas as a result of the fires, they also face daily challenges such as injury from cars or falling out of trees.
Dave the koala was discovered with a damaged pelvis, but it’s unknown what happened to him.
Thankfully, aid was not far away, and 1300 KOALAZ rescuers were dispatched to assist him.
Dave was put on “cage rest” for a few weeks and grew accustomed to lounging around his pen. Rescuers even said he was becoming a “couch potato!”
Thankfully, all his rest and healing paid off and it wasn’t long before he graduated from cage rest to the aviary.
The rescue explained, “The vets had prescribed no climbing for Dave to allow his fractured pelvis to begin to heal so he had been confined to a pen.
Dave was very happy with his lounging about but is even more happy to be out in the aviary.”
After spending an additional three weeks in recovery and rehabilitation, with access to the aviary, Dave was finally ready to be released back to his home – the wild.
The rescue shared a video of the moment Dave was set free and it’s so sweet!
You can tell Dave is incredibly happy to be home, as he scurries up a nearby tree. Watch his homecoming video below:
Koalas are considered vulnerable and their numbers are continuing to decrease.
Habitat loss from deforestation and climate change are some of the koalas’ biggest threats.
Sign this petition to ask the Australian government to protect koalas.
This article by Malorie Thompson was first published by OneGreenPlanet on 13 February 2022. Lead Image Source : SebastiaanPeeters / Shutterstock.
What you can do
Support ‘Fighting for Wildlife’ by donating as little as $1 – It only takes a minute. Thank you.
Fighting for Wildlife supports approved wildlife conservation organizations, which spend at least 80 percent of the money they raise on actual fieldwork, rather than administration and fundraising. When making a donation you can designate for which type of initiative it should be used – wildlife, oceans, forests or climate.
Leave a Reply