These koalas have been burnt in bushfires, and they need mittens

[onehandle]

Over the past week, a series of bushfires in Australia has left koalas badly burnt or even killed. It's summer down there, and the hot, dry weather makes some areas prone to wildfire.

According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare, tree-hugging koalas are among the worst casualties of these fires:

Imagine the cry of a baby koala, separated from its mother through the haze of bushfire smoke. Koalas are one of the worst casualties of bushfires. On a normal day, they spend about 18 hours asleep in the fork of a tree and even when fully awake, they are slow-moving creatures with a top speed of only 10 kilometres an hour. In a fast moving fire front, they are often the first to perish.

snip...

The paws are slathered with burn cream and wrapped in bandages to help sooth and heal the injuries. But the animals also need special mittens to cover the dressings -- and since it all needs to be changed daily, loads of mittens are needed.

Details...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2015/01/09/these-koalas-have-been-burnt-in-bushfires-and-they-need-mittens

[BrotherIvan]

1. I wish I knew how to sew

They are asking for mitten donations. So sad, but so wonderful that people are trying to help them.

[enlightenment]

2. Turns out they don't want mittens.

And I was all ready to sacrifice my super soft 600 thread count cotton sheet (the pattern is dead simple).

http://www.themarysue.com/things-we-saw-today-amwrro-doesnt-need-any-more-koala-mittens/

[elias49]

3. I wonder if the little guy is anesthetized?

Poor thing. The article says they are docile in human care. I hope he's awake and feeling the relief.

[Beringia]

4. sweet