Australia is currently ravaged by devastating wildfires. The fire season started in September, killing at least 18 people and more than half a billion animals. However, not everything is so tragic. One cute koala who was found hurt close to death near the fires has made an impressive recovery.
The koala was named Keli and weighed only 275g when he was found in New South Wales. He also lost most of his fur due to a fungal infection.
After the poor little creature was found on the ground, he was immediately taken to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. He immediately received the necessary treatment.
Port Macquarie Koala Hospital shared pictures of Keli on Facebook and wrote: “Just a brighter moment – in all the tragedy in Australia at the moment we wanted to share something good.” It appears that the koala made an incredible recovery.
Read More: Australian Wildfires Leave Half a Billion Animals Dead, Including 8,000 Koalas
He gained weight, his fungal infection is gone and all his fur is regrowing. Although he’s not fully recovered, he made real progress. After he recovers, he will be released back to the wild where he belongs.
However, Keli will be released during the cooler months. Fortunately, there is still some good habitat left in some locations, the hospital announced on Facebook.
The flames have raged through Australia since September and have destroyed millions of acres of land across the continent.
According to ecologists from the University of Sydney, 480 million mammals, reptiles and birds and may have lost their lives in the fires.
Thankfully, firefighters from the United States, Canada, and New Zealand have arrived in Australia to help stop the fires, which may worsen through the weekend. Officials have even issued a mandatory evacuation.
