As if losing your home to fire once wasn’t devastating enough, this private land was burnt twice – first on Boxing Day, then again just a week later, leaving almost nothing behind.
The heat on this day was relentless. With temperatures soaring, the team pushed through, staying focused. The days are long, but giving up is never an option.
Within minutes of arriving at the property, our team was met by a mob of macropods, just sitting and waiting – an unusual sight. It was clear one needed help.
Using image-stabilising binoculars and careful assessments of their feet, faces, breathing, posture and gait, it was decided that a wallaby needed assessment and the others were fine. There are some unburnt areas that they took refuge in.
Darter Oliver quickly jumped into action, and with expert precision, he successfully darted her. As she drifted off to sleep, our veterinary team sprang into action.
A thorough assessment revealed burnt feet – both old and new burns. This poor girl had been burnt in both fires yet somehow survived. Thankfully, all the burns were superficial, meaning with intensive burns management, she is likely to recover fully and be released.
Our team immediately treated her wounds, applying special burns bandages in the onsite Animals Australia triage van before transferring her to temporary care. The team have named her Cheezel.
And in the middle of it all, an adult ringtail possum was also brought in, needing urgent care! It was an exhausting, overwhelming day, but every life saved makes it worth it.
This is why we do what we do. Every life saved is a small victory in the face of devastation. With your support, we can continue providing this life-saving care.
Please donate today and help us keep fighting for these survivors. Every dollar helps us provide essential medical treatment, food, and ongoing care.
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