Firefighters and police have saved a koala they found unconscious near Lorne in Victoria and say she is now doing very well

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

A koala has been saved by firefighters battling a bushfire along the Victorian coast.

When Country Fire Authority members fighting to put out the fire near Lorne found the koala lying unconscious by the side of the road, they brought the animal back to their station.

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Victoria police then took over the koala’s wellbeing and hand-fed her water and gum leaves.

She has since been nicknamed Constable K Bear and is doing very well, police said on Sunday.

Wildlife Victoria’s Amy Hidge said while it was still too early to say how many animals had died in the fire, people who came across an animal that “looks off” should call Wildlife Victoria.

“We understand that at the moment looking for animals is a low priority, but at this stage we just need people to look out for bushfire-affected animals,” she said.

“Often, you can’t see if the pads on their feet have been burnt or if they have smoke inhalation, so we’re saying that if they look a bit off, they’re probably bushfire-affected.”