Watch: koalas impacted by bushfires return home
Annie would never have made it without the generosity of WWF supporters around the world. She was found by members of the public in Victoria in January 2020. With severe burns to the pads of her feet and close to death, she was given life-saving specialist care from Zoos Victoria. Four months later she was transferred to a rehabilitation enclosure at Phillip Island Nature Parks.
Emergency donations from WWF’s global community helped fund the treatment of Annie and other koalas rescued from the fires. Your donations also paid for the construction of three rehabilitation enclosures that help prepare the koalas for their return to the wild.
At the end of 2020, Annie joined 14 other koalas returning home, where they belong. She’s one of the lucky ones. Thousands of koalas died in the bushfires, and an estimated 60,000 were affected, from a population already in serious decline.
Our colleagues in Australia have launched an ambitious recovery plan for the habitats and species devastated by the bushfires. Koalas are a top priority – we’re aiming to double their numbers in eastern Australia by 2050.
ANNIE
After four months at a rehabilitation centre, recovering from burns sustained in the bushfires, Annie was well enough to be returned to her home in the wild. (Images best viewed in landscape orientation on mobile devices.)
Frankie
Fifteen koalas were returned to the wild. Alongside Annie, Frankie was fitted with a radio-tracking collar so he can be monitored in future. (Images best viewed in landscape orientation on mobile devices.)
More to explore
Make nature our climate hero
Nature can be one of our greatest allies in the fight against climate change. We’re calling for urgent action from governments to limit global warming to 1.5ºC – with the help of nature-based solutions
