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Australian Army Soldiers Use Rest Time To Care For Bushfire Koalas

Australian Army Soldiers Use Rest Time To Care For Bushfire Koalas

In pictures uploaded to The Australian Army Facebook, soldiers can be seen cradling koalas during feeding time after the recent bushfires

Niamh Spence

Niamh Spence

Soldiers that have been risking their lives to fight and contain the fierce fires in Australia, have also been volunteering to help care for some of the koalas that have lost their homes during the recent Australia bushfire crisis.

In pictures uploaded to The Australian Army Facebook, soldiers can be seen cradling koalas during feeding time and ensuring they get enough nutrients and care.

A soldier from The Australian Army cradles a koala affected by the bushfires.
Facebook/ The Australian Army

The pictures show men and women from the South Australian and Tasmanian 16 Regiment Emergency Support Force caring for some of the animals affected when they visited Cleland Wildlife Park in South Australia.

The soldiers used their rest time for the quick pit stop to cradle the poorly koalas and check they were resting after being rescued, before they had to return to the Adelaide hills to continue their work getting the bushfires under control.

Soldiers used their rest time to look after some of the koalas affected.
Facebook/ The Australian Army.

The caption with the pictures on Facebook read: 'A great morale boost for our hard working team in the Adelaide Hills.'

The adorable pictures not only tug on the heartstrings but also show the severity of the bushfire crisis, which has seen koalas classified as endangered after many lost their natural habitats during the fire.

Some of the heartwarming images show the koalas holding onto soldier's fingers as they are cradled and fed.
Facebook/ The Australian Army

Environment minister Sussan Ley has revealed that koalas could be listed as endangered as a result of the bushfire crisis. The federal MP has announced a $50 million funding package to help animal populations bounce back once the bushfires have been contained and put out.

Ms Ley told reporters while unveiling the additional funding: "It may be necessary... to see whether in certain parts of the country, koalas move from where they are, which is often vulnerable, up to endangered."

For those feeling helpless at home at the sight of little koalas and kangaroos suffer with burnt paws and singed fur, there is now a way to help. Many animal rehabilitation centres are now calling for foster carers to help rehabilitate some of the animals affected by the bushfire tragedy.

Featured Image Credit: Facebook/The Australian Army

Topics: World News, News, Bushfires, Australia