Sam the koala

[Cycadcenter]

One of the most heartwarming stories to emerge from the Victorian fires is "Sam the Koala"

IT is not just humans who are emerging from the ashes after amazing feats of survival in the Victoria fires.

Animals of all shapes and sizes are starting to limp, stagger or be carried from the worst-affected fire areas.

Many are so severely injured they have to be destroyed, but others are being taken in by wildlife carers across the state, the Herald Sun reports.

Healesville Sanctuary has taken in emergency cases, despite being threatened itself by fire.

Among its current charges is Bellerine the possum, who was found in Healesville with third-degree burns on her feet.

She was given her name, which means "little shoes" in French, after all of her feet were bandaged.

The sanctuary is also treating a young echidna, which was picked up in Chum Creek and brought in yesterday suffering smoke inhalation.

Healesville Sanctuary senior vet Rupert Baker said although carers were receiving a lot of animals, they had not seen the huge numbers many were expecting.

"Tragically, this could mean that the heat was so intense that most perished," he said.

"There are also huge areas that wildlife carers still can't get into because they are still closed off, so we have no idea how many are out there."

Dr Baker said people wanting to help animals should leave out water in fire-affected areas.

They should also keep dogs and cats locked in, to stop them savaging weak or injured animals, and call a wildlife carer as soon as they find an animal that needs help.

Dr Baker said Healesville staff had a busy week, evacuating more than 200 endangered Tasmanian devils, mountain pigmy possums, helmeted honeyeaters and frogs.

Anyone who finds an injured animal should call Wildlife Connect on 131 111.

Meanwhile, Sam became the most famous koala in the world when firefighter David Tree stopped to give him a drink amid the devastation of the Victoria fires.

Pictures of Sam, who turned out to be female, travelled around the globe and featured in major newspapers including The New York Times, London's The Sun and on CNN.

The image provided a much-needed picture of hope in a week filled with news of despair. Yesterday Sam was recovering in Mountain Ash Wildlife Shelter.

Carer Jenny Shaw said she suffered burns on her paws and was in a lot of pain, but was on the road to recovery.

She was put on an IV drip and is on antibiotics and pain relief treatment.

"She is lovely - very docile - and she has already got an admirer. A male koala keeps putting his arms around her," Ms Shaw said.

"She will need regular attention and it will be a long road to recovery, but she should be able to be released back into the wild in about five months."

Mr Tree said he was surprised by the reaction to the photograph, which was snapped by a fellow CFA volunteer on a mobile phone.

He said he was in the middle of backburning at Mirboo North when he saw the stricken koala.

"I could see she had sore feet and was in trouble, so I pulled over the fire truck. She just plonked herself down, as if to say 'I'm beat'," he said.

"I offered her a drink and she drank three bottles.

"The most amazing part was when she grabbed my hand. I will never forget that."

Mr Tree and his brigade then received an emergency call-out to save a house, but minutes later Sam was picked up by wildlife carers.

She is one of 22 koalas, 14 ringtail possums, several wallabies and eastern grey kangaroos that have been handed into Gippsland carers.

Anyone who finds injured wildlife should call Wildlife Connect on 13 11 11.

- If you want to purchase the amazing picture of David Tree sharing his water with Sam, phone the Herald Sun Shop on 1300 306 107. All proceeds will go to the CFA.

[John in Andalucia]

I saw this photo on the news today. A wonderful act of human kindness.

[palmislandRandy]

Outstanding Photo, sure to be an award winner & glad the Koala is OK!

[Ciczi in Sweden]

A masterpiece of the moment! Good to see humans care for animals like that. There's still hope!

//Ciczi

[Pivi]

It really is great. We should CARE about the animals.

[Cycadcenter]

Here is an update to "Sam the koala"

Sam the Koala finds a Valentine

[_Keith]

Anyone that knows me would probably say "softie" was at the bottom of my list of descriptors, but this gives me a little wet eye.

[palmmermaid]

Ditto for me, Keith. Most people who know me would say the same. But I am always more impacted by animals than humans.