THE International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is calling for locals to help koalas injured in the South Australian and Victorian bushfires by making mittens.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
When bushfires unleash horror on Australian landscapes some of the worst hit victims are the native wildlife.
Slow-moving koalas have been just some of the victims over the past week and IFAW said it expected an influx of the native animals going into the care of wildlife groups as rescuers search for injured animals.
IFAW native wildlife campaigner Josey Sharrad said the koalas that survived bushfires were often badly injured and needed intensive treatment by vets and dedicated wildlife carers.
“Injured koalas typically come into care with severe burns, especially on their paws, caused by contact with burning trees or from fleeing across fire grounds,” she said.
“These injuries need treatment with burns cream and paws need to be protected with special cotton mittens.
“Just like any burns victim, koalas’ dressings need changing daily, meaning a constant supply of mittens is needed by wildlife carers. Some burned koalas can take up to a year to fully recover.”
The mittens need to be made from 100 per cent cotton fabric which can be recycled from old sheets or tea towels.
“These mittens are simple to make even if you’ve never sewn before. Just check out IFAW’s koala mitten pattern,” Ms Sharrad said.
The NSW Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service told Fairfax the most important thing to remember in any fire situation is that all wildlife is affected.
“It’s every single animal involved in the area. Even birds and animals with wings that can fly away,” WIRES spokesperson Carla Toyne said.
“If not fire, it’s smoke inhalation, burnt lungs or burnt feet for ground dwelling animals that is a danger. Fire moves quicker than anything can run.”
Wildlife rescue volunteers usually have to wait five to seven days after a fire has passed before they can enter a site.
All mittens made for injured koalas should be mailed to The International Fund for Animal Welfare at 6 Belmore Street, Surry Hills 2010.
The mittens will then be distributed to the vets, vet nurses and wildlife carers who help nurse native wildlife back to health.