Fundraiser collects $140,000 to help perishing Koalas in Australia

Australians have raised nearly $140,000 through an online fundraiser to protect one of the country's iconic animals, Koala on November 11. The wildlife authorities informed the global media that due to the fires, hundreds of genetically diverse Koalas have perished. The Rural Fire Service of the New South Wales region (NSW RFS) said that due to bush fires at least 150 houses in eastern Australia have been destroyed, three people are reported to be dead, seven are still missing and almost 30 people had been wounded.

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Helping the koalas

Wendy Afford who started the fundraiser believes that it was just one way to help the survival of koalas and other wildlife by providing access to water to reduce further deaths from dehydration. The money raised will be distributed among the drinking stations in the fire-affected areas, and if more money is raised, they might even transfer funds to Koala habitat across the state. The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital which is responsible for taking care of the Koalas declared it a national tragedy. The funds, however, will be very helpful in protecting the Koala's who are still alive. A lightning strike on October 27 instigated a bushfire in an area that is critical to the unique Koala population, which is 400km north of Sydney. 

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Advisory for the residents

Though a dip in temperature came as a reprieve for firefighters and residents, several fires remained out of control with more than 100 blazes still alive. Bureau of Meteorology, in its forecast, warned that hot, dry and gusty winds will generate very dangerous fire conditions across large parts of the state on November 12. Authorities advised the residents of affected zones to avoid fire-prone areas saying a large town or city, shopping centers or facilities well away from bushland areas may be a safer area. 

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Australia faces 100 active fires

According to the fire officials, there were nearly 100 active fires in NSW on Friday. The wildfires have reportedly charred hundreds of thousands of acres across the state, driven by extremely hot, dry and windy conditions. Thousands of residents have been forced to leave their homes as well. The NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Share Fitzsimmons told an international media outlet that Australia has never faced this number of fires burn in NSW at the same time.

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(With inputs from agencies)