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Vet demonstrates how to properly hydrate a koala after one dies from being given water the wrong way
I had no idea! This is important.
Johndel Callora
01.14.20

The whole world was shocked when Australia became a continent on full red alert because of wildfires that started to burn everything in its path including people’s houses, establishments, and animal’s habitat.

The Koalas which is a native of Australia is on the verge of being annihilated because the enormous wildfire took away their forests. Good thing there are volunteers who desperately risked their lives to help save the koalas from dying.

However, an expert warned the people that they need to properly let the koalas drink water because they might have survived the fire but they will die because of improper treatment.

Lone Koala in Kangaroo Island
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Lone Koala in Kangaroo Island

Strangers to the rescue

Their goal is to save animals from becoming another victim of the wildfire. Unaware of how to handle animals correctly they searched high and low for surviving creatures to nurse them back to health.

Koala trying to survive in Kangaroo Island
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Koala trying to survive in Kangaroo Island

Kudos to these volunteers for saving a lot of animals from the verge of death!

Most of the animals who fled their habitat to search for a new one are hungry and thirsty. The volunteers are ready when they encounter animals on the road, they brought food and plenty of water.

A Koala named Arnie was successfully rescued on Victoria’s East Gippsland suffering minor burns on his hands and feet. However, Arnie died because of a simple act of kindness.

Death after rescue

Arnie the Koala died because of Aspiration Pneumonia
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Arnie the Koala died because of Aspiration Pneumonia

Arnie the Koala died of Aspiration Pneumonia, this happens when they hold their head back and take in too much water it can get into their lungs. When we look at some of the photos shared by rescuers they let the Koalas drink by pouring it into their mouth.

What most of the rescuers did are incorrect but, we cannot blame them because they are not experts in handling these kinds of situations. We must be happy that they boosted up the manpower when it comes to doing rescue missions.

Imparting knowledge

Cyclist let the koala drink by pouring water into its mouth.
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Cyclist let the koala drink by pouring water into its mouth.

Animalia Wildlife Shelter posted something of Facebook warning all the good-hearted citizens not to just let the koalas drink water but to let them drink it the proper way. This is part of what the shelter posted:

‘They were just trying to help. They didn’t know that it is dangerous for koalas to drink this way. They didn’t know that Koalas usually get most of their water via the gum leaves that they eat and they don’t often drink water, but when they do, they are face down and lapping small amounts with their tongue…If you are nowhere near help then the best way to hydrate koalas is to PLACE A BOWL OF WATER ON THE GROUND OR POUR THE WATER IN TO YOUR HAT/HELMET/CUP ETC AND HOLD NEAR KOALAS MOUTH SO THAT IT CAN LAP AT IT, FACE DOWN.’

Firefighter let the koala drink from a bottled water
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Firefighter let the koala drink from a bottled water

Spreading awareness through social media

Michelle Thomas, owner of the shelter said that their post does not discourage people from doing their rescue efforts but making them more knowledgeable when it comes to handling this type of situation.

The correct way is to pour water into a bowl to avoid Aspiration Pneumonia
Source:
The correct way is to pour water into a bowl to avoid Aspiration Pneumonia

‘We’re not saying don’t give them a drink, we’re saying don’t pour it – it needs to be in a bowl. It is completely safe for them to have water out of a bowl,’ said Ms. Thomas.

This Facebook post awakened the public to who does not know the do’s and don’ts when hydrating koalas. The video embedded in this post will show you how to properly let the surviving koalas and other animals drink water.

Wildfire Update

It started around September 2019 and until now the fire is still burning in some areas in Victoria, Queensland, Southern Australia and mostly in New South Wales. The devastating wildfire is as huge as the State of Indiana in the United States.

As of this moment, an estimated 1 billion animals are declared dead since the fire started. Good thing there are volunteers that would risk their lives to protect the surviving species of these poor animals.

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