Heartbreaking photo shows a baby kangaroo wrapped in bandages after surviving the brutal ‘demon’ bushfire in Western Australia
Heartbreaking photo shows a baby kangaroo wrapped in bandages after surviving the brutal ‘demon’ bushfire in Western Australia
21 January 2016
published by http://www.dailymail.co.uk
Australia –The injured joey looks out from the balcony with heavily bandaged hands, feet and tail.
He is one of hundreds of animals rushed into emergency care after devastating bushfires tore through Western Australia this month, destroying large swathes of their natural habitat.
The heartbreaking image was uploaded to social media from Waroona Veterinary Clinic in Yarloop, Western Australia, which is providing round-the-clock care for the animals wounded in the blaze which ravaged the town in early January.
The clinic revealed the tough-as-nails joey had survived extensive burns to much of his body but was only found by the clinic this week.
The blaze claimed 143 properties – 128 of which were homes, as well as taking a toll on the surrounding wildlife of the Yarloop community
Donations have funded medical supplies for the clinic’s staff, who have been caring for the traumatised and displaced animals.
A young female joey with minor burns brought in by firefighters is expected to make a full recovery, but the same cannot be said for an alpaca found at a property at Cookernup.
Wrapped with a green bandage around its neck the young alpaca died from its injuries caused by the fires.
Facebook users commented their support and one said: ‘So much devastation. Prayers for all injured wildlife livestock and family pets. Just prayers for everyone impacted by this inferno.’
Another user said: ‘Thank you to all the vets helping out our furry friends where would we be without them.’
Doctor Rebecca Flegg, one of the veterinarians to travel to Yarloop to search for injured wildlife and livestock, told the ABC about the range of wildlife left fighting for their life after the blaze.
‘We have seen joeys with badly burned feet, tails and paws, possums with burned tails and noses and birds that have either been hit by cars or dehydrated.’
‘The animals have no idea what’s going on, they’ve lost their homes in this too,’ she added.
The care of fire-affected animals can be exhausting and emotional but with a community willing to help behind them they will ensure their furry neighbours are safe said Dr Flegg.
‘It’s very sad that we can’t save all of the animals, it’s heartbreaking, but we’re trying our best,’ said Dr Flegg.
‘We have had a real lack of sleep and have been working non-stop but everyone has banded together,’ she added.
The veterinarian’s goal is to treat the animals and safely return them to the wild.
