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This Hero Dog Has Been Tasked With Finding Koalas That Have Survived Australia’s Bushfires
As the New South Wales and Queensland areas in Australia have been devastated by bushfires, as many resources as possible are being directed there. Unfortunately, not only were people’s homes destroyed, but many animals have suffered as well. Because of this, there are teams made specifically to check whether there are surviving koalas in the burned areas. One of the most important team members is Bear – the koala detection dog that has been deployed to the damaged areas of Queensland.
More info: IFAW Australia
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This is Bear – a good boy who helps to detect koalas
Image credits: IFAW Australia
“Our koala detection dog Bear is bringing a glimmer of hope for koalas suffering from Australia’s deadly bushfires—but these animals need more heroes to save them from this ongoing disaster. Our koala detection dog Bear is an integral part of these rescue efforts. He was recently deployed to southeast Queensland and one of the hardest-hit areas of New South Wales where the bushfires decimated local koala populations. Bear is one of the few detection dogs who can locate live koalas through the scent of their fur,” International Fund for Animal Welfare posted on their Facebook page.
Bear is specially trained to find sick, orphaned and injured koalas in the wild
Image credits: IFAW Australia
Bear is the border collie/koolie mix who works with Detection Dogs for Conservation, where he has been specially trained to sniff out and detect sick, displaced, orphaned and injured koalas in the wild. The hardworking good boy was recently sent out to several burned areas in Australia to find koalas that might be injured and are in need of help.
The hardworking dog is now 6 years old
Image credits: IFAW Australia
Rescuing koalas is not an easy job to do – the koala detection dogs need to have no interest in people, be hyper-focused and without a prey drive. Fortunately, Bear meets the requirements – a dog that was abandoned years ago by his former owners and brought to Detection Dogs for Conservation.
He was brought to Detection Dogs for Conservation by his former owners who didn’t want to care for him anymore
Image credits: Queensland Koala Crusaders
“Bear is highly focused and brilliant at focusing on one thing – his ball which is his reward, which makes him perfectly suited for the job. He also has zero prey drive which is essential for a wildlife detection dog as they need to focus purely on the scent and not the animal, ultimately ignoring the animal,” an International Fund for Animal Welfare representative told the media.
Despite the efforts, in New South Wales, some local koala populations are close to the brink of extinction
Image credits: Queensland Koala Crusaders
“Devastating bushfires continue to sweep across Australia and threaten the survival of iconic species. In New South Wales, some local koala populations could be pushed to the brink of extinction. Australia’s wildlife can’t battle this disaster alone. We must work together to save these animals before it’s too late,” the International Fund for Animal Welfare informs.
In order to help Australian koalas survive, you can donate money to the International Fund for Animal Welfare by following this link.
Here’s how people online reacted
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Ani Archeron 5 years ago (edited)
Please donate to the Koala Hospital and Australian conservation funds! The fires have destroyed vital breeding grounds, and the koalas need a helping hand to recover.
Monty Is Fiennes 5 years ago
Full Name... they call him a hero because he has a super power we don't.... his sense of smell.... without it many of the animals he detects would simply die....in agony, so even though he is an animal doing what he is trained to do without feeling... he is still a hero in this country to those who would like to see one of our most beloved native animals survive....
Mark Sheffield 5 years ago
Too cool, a great story. I wish I felt there was going to be a happy ending, but my fear is that mankind will only stop destroying the landscape when there is none left to destroy. If applying to a job anywhere else in the universe, I'd never list "member of the human race" on my resume, it's just too embarrassing, we are a failed experiment.
Magpie 5 years ago
I think you will find this site interesting too. Basically koalas do not normally drink. They get enough moisture from their food. But climate change is drying out their food. So now koala drinking stations are a thing.>>>https://www.thedodo.com/koala-drinking-stations-sydney-2318378024.html
Michelle Muirhead 5 years ago
Please donate now no matter how small to help the poor animals. The staff at the Koala hospital are volunteers so your donations go to the care of the poor animals hurt by the fires. And BTW not just Koalas have been destroyed by the fires and the volunteers are helping all the wildlife. Don’t let Lewis die in vain!
Michelle Muirhead 5 years ago
Do your bit Bored Panda fans and help our poor Koalas and other animals devastated by the fires. Every little bit helps. The staff at the Koala Hospital are volunteers and all monies raised go to helping the animals.
Mykola Iuzefchuk 5 years ago
You are awesome Bear! Thank you for an excellent job! Good luck for you buddy
John Louis 5 years ago
Dogs are the only domestic breeds that bond to their human caretakers. Hence the most amazing animals on the planet! Bear is only one of the countless dogs that have helped our species and our planet in countless ways.
Stephanie Anne 5 years ago
They aren't the only domestic animals to bond with humans
Load More Replies... sharron lynn parsons 5 years ago
A sad situation, yes, global warming has been ignored, now many problems arise, Bless the good man and awesome dog Bear, he has found his purpose for his life, be safe, and pray for many Koalas to be saved, thank you !!!
Ani Archeron 5 years ago (edited)
Please donate to the Koala Hospital and Australian conservation funds! The fires have destroyed vital breeding grounds, and the koalas need a helping hand to recover.
Monty Is Fiennes 5 years ago
Full Name... they call him a hero because he has a super power we don't.... his sense of smell.... without it many of the animals he detects would simply die....in agony, so even though he is an animal doing what he is trained to do without feeling... he is still a hero in this country to those who would like to see one of our most beloved native animals survive....
Mark Sheffield 5 years ago
Too cool, a great story. I wish I felt there was going to be a happy ending, but my fear is that mankind will only stop destroying the landscape when there is none left to destroy. If applying to a job anywhere else in the universe, I'd never list "member of the human race" on my resume, it's just too embarrassing, we are a failed experiment.
Magpie 5 years ago
I think you will find this site interesting too. Basically koalas do not normally drink. They get enough moisture from their food. But climate change is drying out their food. So now koala drinking stations are a thing.>>>https://www.thedodo.com/koala-drinking-stations-sydney-2318378024.html
Michelle Muirhead 5 years ago
Please donate now no matter how small to help the poor animals. The staff at the Koala hospital are volunteers so your donations go to the care of the poor animals hurt by the fires. And BTW not just Koalas have been destroyed by the fires and the volunteers are helping all the wildlife. Don’t let Lewis die in vain!
Michelle Muirhead 5 years ago
Do your bit Bored Panda fans and help our poor Koalas and other animals devastated by the fires. Every little bit helps. The staff at the Koala Hospital are volunteers and all monies raised go to helping the animals.
Mykola Iuzefchuk 5 years ago
You are awesome Bear! Thank you for an excellent job! Good luck for you buddy
John Louis 5 years ago
Dogs are the only domestic breeds that bond to their human caretakers. Hence the most amazing animals on the planet! Bear is only one of the countless dogs that have helped our species and our planet in countless ways.
Stephanie Anne 5 years ago
They aren't the only domestic animals to bond with humans
Load More Replies... sharron lynn parsons 5 years ago
A sad situation, yes, global warming has been ignored, now many problems arise, Bless the good man and awesome dog Bear, he has found his purpose for his life, be safe, and pray for many Koalas to be saved, thank you !!!
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