Australia wildfires: Animals in peril across the country
Humans aren't the only ones being driven from their homes by the Australian wildfires. An ecologist from the University of Sydney estimates that more than 1 billion animals have already been killed across the country since the fires began in September 2019.
But some animals — like this koala named Paul — are among the lucky ones.
Here, Cheyne Flanagan, clinical director at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, touches noses with Paul. Paul was rescued from the nearby Lake Innes Nature Reserve and is recovering from burns.
Editor's Note: Some images may be upsetting.
A snack for strength
This is Paul munching on some eucalyptus leaves.
Helping the most vulnerable
Volunteers at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital have been working alongside National Parks and Wildlife Service crews to rescue and treat koalas who have been affected by the wildfires.
Burned paws
This koala named Frizzle is treated for burns on her paws at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital.
Rescued kangaroo
Wildlife rescue volunteer Tracy Dodd cradles a kangaroo that's being treated for burned foot pads.
Saved from the flames
Wildlife rescue volunteer Tracy Burgess holds a badly burned brushtail possum rescued near Australia's Blue Mountains.
Giving a ride to a koala
Damian Campbell-Davys, a water tank operator, rescued this koala while he helped battle flames near Nerriga, New South Wales, Australia.
This is an unusual tree
The kola, named "Tinny Arse," explores the water tanker.
Evacuating with four-legged friends
Domestic pets and farm animals are also displaced, traveling by land sea, and air with their families to escape the blaze.
Bernadette Foster, a resident of Dignams Creek, New South Wales, poses for photos with her two dogs at the evacuation center in nearby Cobargo.
Evacuating pets
A soldier carries an evacuee's dog onto a helicopter.
Racing to land
Evacuated families from Mallacoota, a small town in the East Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia, arrive by boat in Hastings, Victoria. The dogs tug on their leashes to return to dry land.
Shelter for large animals
Residents from Kangaroo Valley evacuated to the showground in Moss Vale, New South Wales. Many showgrounds in towns away from the fires have become shelters for large animals like donkeys and horses.
Evacuated alpacas
A herd of 59 alpacas is also staying at the showground in Moss Vale.
A drink of water
A firefighter offers bottled water to a koala in Cudlee Creek near Australia's southern coast.
Life goes on
A horse is covered in ash as it grazes in front of a burned down house in Cobargo, New South Wales.
No fences left
Fire-damaged fences allow cattle to wander free in Cann River, a small town in the East Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia.
Not all survive
Sam Mitchell owns Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park on Kangaroo Island, Australia. The park has been treating and housing injured animals since one-third of the island burned, including many acres of koala habitat.
Here, he carries two dead animals to a mass grave.
The park has a GoFundMe that has raised more than $1.1 million since it began during the first weekend of 2020.
Veterinarians to the rescue
Sally Selwood and Phoebe Jones assist veterinarian Angela Scott with treating a burned koala at the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park.
Recovery begins
With its paws wrapped to treat burns, this injured koala rests in a basket at the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park.
A young survivor
Barb Copus holds a rescued baby brushtail possum at the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park.
An unlucky koala
A dead koala is seen after bushfires swept through Kangaroo Island, a small island off of South Australia in the Great Australian Bight.
Destroyed habitats
This koala also perished in the blue gum trees on Kangaroo Island.
Looking for a place to hide
A kangaroo seeks shelter from the flames in a residential area near Nowra, New South Wales.
Sniffing what's left
This dog accompanies its owner to survey a family member's burned-down home in Kiah, New South Wales.
Bushfires in Eden, Australia
A bird met its end on the side of the road near Eden, New South Wales.
Bushfires in New South Wales
These animals in Cobargo, New South Wales, survived the massive firestorm that burned through the town in the early morning hours on New Years Eve. Smoke still blankets the area.
A smoky sunset
Cattle in East Gippsland, Victoria face the smoke-shrouded sunset.
No vacationers outside
Kangaroos seek shelter from bushfires in the coastal resort town of Berrara, New South Wales.
Anthony Albanese pays a visit
Australian Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese visits the Adelaide Koala Rescue. This koala, named Jack, was orphaned by the bushfires.
A place to rest
This koala, named Shirley, recovers from burns in her pen at the Adelaide Koala Rescue.
Close to the fire
Sheep group together as Rural Fire Service crews work to protect nearby homes from the Green Wattle Creek Fire southwest of Sydney, Australia.
Sheep in Sarsfield
Two sheep stand near a fire-damaged property in Sarsfield, East Gippsland.
Charred ground
Two sheep walk on charred Earth near Bega, New South Wales.
Firefighters to the rescue
Volunteer firefighters pulled these six koalas to safety in a Cudlee Creek laundry room.
Not exactly a day at the beach
A dog sits on an ash-covered beach in Merimbula, New South Wales.