Sam, the Koala, who was rescued on that dreadful day of fire, 7th February this year, has died. She was put to sleep this afternoon, as vets could not save her from the life-threatening disease, Urogenital chlamydiosis, that had overtaken her. This disease affects 50% of the Koala population. I posted about Sam in pictures on 13th February.
Country Fire Authority volunteer David Tree comforts SamPrime Minister Kevin Rudd said that "Sam was a symbol of Victoria's resilience after the bushfires and her death is tragic".
13 comments:
Oh, my...this is a very sad moment...Goodbye lovely Sam... It is such a pity she didn't hang on... ((HUGS))
Oh, that is so sad! Such a beautiful animal. I didn't know about this disease affecting them. Has it always been that way, or is it a recent development?
Sad, Alaine. She looks so cute in the pics, as do all Koalas. Amazing to see her with the rescuer.
Hi Alaine
Margaret posted me some pics today of bikers offering a koala a bottle of water and the famous one of the koala in the bucket of water.
I have noticed that we have fewer and fewer koalas in our park...we used to spot them regularly. and still the Qld govt doesn't do anything to help their dwindling numbers.
Happy days
hi, i didn't know about same but i wondered how the wildlife had fared after all of the fires. it's similar here, whenever there's a forest fire, where do the animals go? how do they cope. the picture of the firefighter giving sam a drink is unbelievable!! have a peaceful day. steven
Poor Sam. Thank you for sharing this post. It is all so, so sad.
Tracy, Susan, Derrick, Delwyn, Steven, Lizzy,
UC has been a problem for many years; scientists consider it a natural population control. It manifests in times of stress, such as when habitat is reduced. It's only in areas with unlimited resources that populations are healthy.
Victoria lost millions of animals and birds in the ensuing weeks of the fires.
We've had two cockatoos in our care die in the past couple of months and there is another sick one here this morning. I'm starting to wonder if they've flown in from the fire-devastated areas close to us.
I am saddened by the loss of this splendid creature..I hope she felt the love sent her way...
I'm sure she did, Lyn. She was a 'world heroine'.
These dear creatures are so precious and touch that which is vulnerable and precious inside us. Her life certainly served to highlight the problem of their dwindling numbers to the world. And now the world is sad.
Bonnie, yes, we need a happy post now.
Poor little thing. Years ago I sponsored a Matchies Tree Kangaroo at the Toronto Zoo. Everytime I went to see him, he was off display.
Fast forward 20 years and they have finally have one on display at the zoo. What a sleepy fellow. It seems that he has to consider every step. Very cute. Like a stuffie.
That is so sad, i had not heard of this disease before, what a terrible thing and to affect so many of these beautiful creautures too!
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