Improving koala care and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation amidst bushfires are central to a recent study.
Spearheaded by Natasha Speight, PhD, a senior lecturer at the University of Adelaide’s School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences in Australia, with funding from the Morris Animal Foundation, the study analyzed data of koalas affected by recent Australian bushfires. Beyond generalized skin burns, the study reveals severe footpad burns that hinder koalas’ tree-climbing abilities and escape from fires. The study also reports lung damage due to smoke inhalation.
“By understanding the extent of the burns of the skin in the footpads, as well as furred regions of the body, koalas can be assessed for their likelihood for rehabilitation and release, or if the prognosis is poor,” says Dr. Speight. “Compounding the effect of burns on the health of the koalas, a high likelihood of lung damage due to smoke inhalation has also been found by this study, and this is an important additional consideration for veterinarians triaging rescued koalas.”
These findings aim to significantly advance understanding of the impacts of bushfires on wildlife, which is crucial for future planning and care coordination.
“These resources can then be used by the government, wildlife carers and veterinarians to assess the prognosis for koalas that have injuries due to bushfires, as well as aid coordination of bushfire response efforts,” Speight adds.
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