The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is appealing for help for koalas injured in the South Australian and Victorian bushfires – in the form of mittens.

Slow-moving koalas have been the sad victims of bushfires in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales over the past week.

“We expect koalas may come into the care of wildlife groups as the fire grounds are opened up to rescuers searching for injured animals,” the IFAW said. “Already koalas have come into care in Victoria and in South Australia firefighters and members of the public are reported to have helped displaced and exhausted koalas by providing water and a respite from the heat.”

In NSW, most of an area of prime koala habitat (home to 35 of the area’s approximately 143 animals) was destroyed by fire at Pottsville on the Tweed Coast. Four koalas were reported rescued from this area, IFAW said.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare says donating cotton mittens to help protect burnt koala paws is one way people have help in the aftermath of bushfires in Australia. Photograph: John Paolini/International Fund for Animal Welfare

The organisation is asking people to make and donate simple cotton mittens to help injured

“Many koalas perish in bushfires, while the lucky ones that survive are often badly injured and need intensive treatment by vets and dedicated wildlife carers,” IFAW said. “Injured koalas typically come into care with severe burns, especially on their paws, caused by contact with burning trees or from fleeing across fire grounds.



“These injuries need treatment with burns cream and paws need to be protected with special cotton mittens.”

A burnt koala receiving treatment. Photograph: IFAW

Josey Sharrad, an IFAW native wildlife campaigner, said a plentiful supply of these mittens was needed throughout the bushfire season.

“Just like any burns victim, koalas’ dressings need changing daily, meaning a constant supply of mittens is needed by wildlife carers. Some burned koalas can take up to a year to fully recover” she said.

Sharrad appealed to people to use clean, 100% cotton to create mittens.

“Maybe you have some old cotton sheets or tea towels – just check that the material is 100% cotton,” Sharrad said. “These mittens are simple to make even if you’ve never sewn before. Just check out IFAW’s koala mitten pattern.”

• For more information about where to send mittens, click here