Australia wildfires 'major impact' on koalas
Paul is lucky to be alive.
He's a wild koala - rescued from a wildfire that's scorching parts of Australia.
His nose and paw were badly burnt.
He's now being treated by Amanda at the Port MacQuarie Koala Hospital.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PORT MACQUARIE KOALA HOSPITAL TEAM LEADER AND CARER, AMANDA GORDON, SAYING:
"They look terrible the poor little things. Some of them are in a lot of pain. The ones that we are really hopeful for, of course, are the ones that are taking food, and formula, and eating their leaf."
Climate reports show as temperatures rise in Australia, so too does the frequency of fires and draught.
At one nature reserve on the country's east coast - around two thirds of the koala population have been wiped out by this year's fires.
The hospital's director warns of the effect it'll have on koalas in the wild:
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PORT MACQUARIE KOALA HOSPITAL CLINICAL DIRECTOR, CHEYNE FLANAGAN, SAYING:
"it's pretty devastating, it's going to have a major impact on the populations of koalas in this region."
It'll be at least 10 more days before the full extent of the latest blaze will become apparent.
Until then, carers are continuing to treat the rescued koalas -
Like Julie, and her baby koala Joey.
They're nuzzling in the safety of their enclosure in the hospital.
The staff hope the ones remaining in the wild have found a pocket of safety until help arrives.
