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SYDNEY - Wildlife rescuers say one of Australia's largest and most important koala colonies has survived a huge bushfire that swept through its habitat in central western New South Wales.
Thousands of koalas came under threat from the blaze, which broke out in the Pilliga Nature Reserve, near Coonabarabran, three weeks ago. More than 82,600ha has been burned and firefighters are still days from containing it.
Two wildlife rescuers, one from Sydney's Taronga Zoo and one from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, yesterday began a search for koalas in two areas of the reserve where they are known to thrive.
Taronga Zoo spokeswoman Danielle McGill, who spoke to the team, said they found groups of unharmed koalas in burnt areas. "They didn't find any signs of dead koalas and no injured koalas. The ground cover was quite badly scorched, but it was low intensity so the flames actually only reached about 2m up the trees. So most of the koalas have gone to the top of the trees and just taken their chances and waited out the fires."
Based on the positive outcome, the rescue team had no plans to conduct additional searches. Firefighters still battling the blaze and performing clean-up duties will notify local wildlife rescue services of any injured animals.
- AAP
