UPDATE: The two victims of Kangaroo Island's devastating bushfires have been identified as well-known bush pilot Dick Lang and his son, Clayton.

Read the latest here.

PREVIOUSLY: Rescue operations have begun for dozens of koalas severely burnt by blazes tearing through South Australia's Kangaroo Island, with fears tens of thousands of animals have perished in the fire-ravaged national park.

The island houses what is believed to be Australia's only chlamydia-free population and was a haven for the species, which is under threat in the eastern states.

The population on the isolated island was last estimated at about 50,000.

The Department of Environment says the remaining koalas must be managed locally to ensure they remain disease-free.

“We’ve received reports that some koalas from Kangaroo Island have been taken to Adelaide by people who want to get help for them,” bushfire recovery coordinator Brenton Grear said.

“It’s understandable and heartening that people want to rescue these animals, but unfortunately it will mean that those koalas can’t be returned to the island because of the risk of contamination of the population there.”

Chlamydia in koalas can cause blindness, bladder inflammation, infertility and death.

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The Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park has taken a number of animals into its care, with concerns many more are left stranded and burnt in the national park.

Because of the size of the fires burning on the island, the Department says it is too soon to know how many animals have been affected.

South Australian Veterinary Emergency Management (SAVEM) has been activated to manage the wildlife rescue effort and is working with other groups in fire-affected regions.

The island blaze remains uncontrolled and has already burnt through more than 100,000 hectares of scrub, including much of the Flinders Chase National Park.

Two people have been confirmed dead and a number of properties lost in the blazes.

Anyone wishing to donate to koala rescue efforts can do so through SAVEM here.