Pink reader Christine sent in a bunch of really adorable yet very sad photos from Australia that show a few koala bears suffering from the intense heat generated by the deadly brushfires that have ravaged the country (and destroyed their natural habitats) in the past few days. The photos are just too heartbreaking not to share … which I figured could be a great way to let people know that they can donate money to the Australian Red Cross to help those in need who have been affected by these deadly brushfires:
The 2009 Victorian Bushfire Fund to assist individuals and communities affected by devastating bushfires in Victoria has been launched by the Premier John Brumby in partnership with Red Cross and the Federal Government. An independent panel made up of community leaders will oversee the appeal Fund’s operation. Donations are continuing to flow in via the website and phone, and there has also been an overwhelmingly generous response from corporate Australia. Donations can be made using our secure online donations form.
Aussies of ALL kinds need our help right now, I think it would be amazing if those of us who can afford to help stepped up to offer whatever aid we can. I have already sent in my donation to the Aussie Red Cross. I know that our friends down under would really appreciate any help we can provide.
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Thank you for posting this, Trent.
If I wasn’t a college student I would donate for sure.
Those poor lil animals!!! It makes me feel like shit 4 them. :-(
Haha yes they are ver cute and it is very very sad… but to everyone, they are just KOALA’s not KOALA BEARS. They are not a member of the bear family. :D
Dear Trent,
The support we Victorians have received from not only our fellow Australians, but the international community is simply staggering. The devastation of such level in towns that we grew up in, visited on holidays or shared with family and friends, is almost unbearable. But with the kind efforts of you, and your readers, it does make it bearable for those lucky and fortunate to be left standing, albeit no home, town, or possessions.
Although, myself, I awake everyday with my house and family, my heart goes out to those affected by these fires. I too have friends who have perished or lost everything.
I ask of ALL Americans, college students, grandparents, parents and students, to help donate to this worthwhile cause.
These innocent people have lost everything, including family members to a fire that was deliberately lit.
If there was ever a time for your generosity, now would be it.
I thankyou all for your support and well wishes, we WILL get through this and rebuild. But we will never forget that horrible day of Saturday 7th February
Thank you for the web link that made it so easy for me to donate my little bit. Great of you to feature the info on your site.
Hope everyone is inspired to donate. Every little bit helps. ;o}
Is there a site set up to donate for the animals that have been affected in the wildfires? I know the Red Cross with help the people, but what about the animals?
Thankyou so much for posting this. I’m an Aussie and it is so wonderful how much support is pouring in from around our country and around the world. Thankyou to all who are looking out for those affected x
There is also a Wildlife Bushfire Appeal if people wanted to find out more, to help with the care of injured & burned animals. The link is http://www.wildlifevictoria.or.....;Itemid=43
I hope that helps with some information for those of you who have been moved by the plight of Sam the Koala, and all our other injured animals. Thank you x
These photos are wonderful reminders of the heat in the Australian summer, but they were posted before the bushfires even began.
Thankyou to everyone who have offered your generosity and prayers. I just wanted to let you know that the RSPCA Victoria is looking after just the animals that were in the bushfires, their website is http://www.rspcavic.org
RSPCA shelters and inspectors in Victoria have been working around the clock to provide emergency assistance to animals affected by the bushfires. To support the RSPCA’s emergency relief effort with assistance or a donation, please go to RSPCA Victoria:
http://www.rspcavic.org./campa.....hfires.htm
Hey Trent,
This reply has pretty much already been said by others, but I’m living in Australia and just wanted to say a huge THANKS for supporting the cause. With floods and wildfires at the same time, the country has taken a double hit and a lot of lives have been ruined – whether they be human or animal. It means a lot to know that folks in America care :)
Wildlife Victoria is accepting donations to help in the rescue of animals affected by the fires:
http://www.wildlifevictoria.org.au/cms/index.php
This is truly heartbreaking. Those koalas are so adorable. It made me cry. I truly feel for all the people in Australia who have been affected by these devastating fires. It is horrible.
Thanks for caring Trent and to everyone else who does. This is just heartbreaking to watch and to imagine the terror these people suffered through. Anyhow I have to stop thinking about it because it makes me cry, but I just wanted to add, for the people who weren’t aware, wild koalas are actually violent (when disturbed) and use their claws to slash their attacker. So I’m amazed that these koalas are allowing humans to get so close to them, to me it shows that they really are on their last legs, that they somehow understand that they need to trust these people and work together to save their own lives. Amazing. Have a look at this vid, but have a tissue ready!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XSPx7S4jr4
Trent! Thank you MILLIONS for posting a story about the Victorian bushfires, they have completely devastated so many innocent peoples lives, killed so many families and animals. The photos of the thirsty koalas were from the heat wave they had the weekend before the bushfires (46 degrees!) where koalas were even stopping cyclists and cars on the roads for hope of finding water from humans, baring in mind these are normally extremely timid animals. As you know, their relief (if any) was short lived, a few days later bushfires ripped up 1/3 of the state, (I cannot comprehend what would’ve driven someone to think lighting these bushfires was a good idea). You may have seen the picture of a fireman giving “Sam” the koala water from his own water bottle in the burnt out forest. Thanks to him that Koala is now recovering from 3rd degree burns in a shelter. As that picture shows a little bit goes a long way! I live in Brisbane and it is gut wrenching waking up every morning and seeing yet another devastating result of someones random act of pure stupidity. I read your blog every day and it gave me tingles to see that you are doing your bit to raise people’s awareness about the help they can give our neighbours! :)
Thank you! x0
From a Victorian who has lost friends in these horrible bushfires, I thank you for thinking of us. Am truly impressed with your global awareness. Keep Australia in your prayers.
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Thank you to everyone who has donated, Lord knows they need it. I’m in Sydney, but my best friend can’t get in touch with her grandmother in Victoria, they’re worried she was killed in the fires. Its all so sad.
And THANK YOU to the US for sending over some of your firefighters to help the cause. Australia definitely appreciates it =)
Trent, you’re awesome. Thanks for devoting an entire post, and thank you even more for donating. Every little bit counts!
183 people have died and you put up a photo of a koala? im all really glad you guys think thats its sad the koala got burnt. im australian and i lvoe this blog but thats just ridicolous. how bout u send some support to the 6000 people that lost homes and family and friends and not just to the koalas.
@emily — the Australian Red Cross is accepting donations for the people affected by the tragedy. I chose not to post photos of dead people in lieu of the suffering koalas … mebbe a little restraint in your accusatory comments next time?