Bonus cute furry summer animal picture.

[randomness]

Another one from the bushfires in Victoria, from the same photo gallery as before:



CFA volunteer David Tree helps a distressed koala in burnt-out forest at Mirboo North.

Comments

Wow...

[ddreslough.livejournal.com]

If I remember right, Koalas aren't particularly friendly to humans...especially wild ones. That poor guy must be really exhausted!

Re: Wow...

[digitalemur.livejournal.com]

What she said, cuz yeah, the firefighter is holding some very sharp claws in his hand!

Re: Wow...

[bex77]

Here's the article from the AP:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/as_australia_wildfires_koala_rescue
Explains that "koalas rarely come down from trees and don't like walking."
They also don't drink water, as a rule, getting their moisture from the leaves they eat.
This poor gal had burnt paws and was taken away to a shelter.

Re: Wow...

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

Thanks for that link!

[dpolicar]

I'm left with this image of koalas mobbing airports to panhandle the tourists.

[tavella.livejournal.com]

I hope they were able to find it a surviving gum tree to move to. Poor guy.

[bloodstones.livejournal.com]

I am going to Australia and will get to cuddle kualas in a month!!!!

PS. Don't tell me about how they're mean nasty little bastards. I'm cuddling with them anyway.

[bedfull-o-books.livejournal.com]

Be sure to drug them first, or they will bite you. :-P

[chris-warrior.livejournal.com]

one of the worst thngs i heard today: they think those fires might have been arson.

i need a hug.

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

*hug*

[whitebird.livejournal.com]

I do think that the thing which makes this photo work so well is the hand/paw interaction. It's almost as if the fireman is going, "here, old man, let me help you."

But that said, it's also very poignant, because drop bears aren't usually that social, so something bad is definitely up. :/