VV feb march 20 24th dec

WILDLIFE MATTERS ……... to all of us
Koalas and Australian Bushfires
MCV usually concentrates its wildlife efforts
on UK species, habitats and conservation, but
for this one issue we have decided to give
some thought to the people of Australia and
its devastated wildlife caused by bushfires.
At the time of going to press, twenty-three
people, including brave fire-fighters, have
lost their lives and our thoughts immediately
turn to their families and friends.
of eucalyptus leaves every day. An adult
koala weighs an average of 14kg and is
between 60 and 85cm long. Infants (Joeys)
remain in their mothers pouches for up to six
months. Eucalyptus leaves are highly
flammable and fires spread rapidly from tree
top to tree top.
The Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) is
doing all that it can to help koalas in distress
but at present this is an almost impossible
uphill battle.
If you feel you could help a koala in any way
then please do whatever you can to help
save some of these beautiful marsupials.
The Foundation can be contacted by going
onto the AKF website at:
www.savethekoala.com
It is also being estimated that some 480m
mammals, birds and reptiles have already
been killed by bushfires sweeping much of
New South Wales and Victoria and that
worse is to come with extreme high
temperatures and gusting winds driving the
fires onwards. More than 150 fires have so
far razed over 14.7m acres of land.
The poor koalas (marsupials not bears) are
slow-moving animals. Adults eat about 1kilo
‘No Tree…..No Me …..’
Further information from:
Keith Metcalf – MCV Conservation Officer
(01590) 645825 or (07771) 918449 or email
keithmetcalf@btinternet.com
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