Wildlife rescuers and animal lovers have been left brokenhearted after their efforts to save Bernie the koala, rescued from an out of control burn-off in Buninyong, came to a tragic end.
The community threw its support behind a fundraising campaign to help rehabilitate Bernie after Buninyong CFA volunteers saved him three weeks ago.
Wala Animal Sanctuary manager Karen Pohlner, who runs a rescue shelter from her Smythes Creek home, reported with “the heaviest of hearts” on Sunday night that Bernie did not survive.
Ms Pohlner named Bernie and had been providing him burn treatment since June 4.
“We fought so hard to help him live and he valiantly fought hard to stay but unfortunately the battle was lost,” she said.
“Apart from physical burns, native wildlife suffer smoke inhalation from being caught in fires. We did our utmost to help Bernie fight infection, both in his burnt feet and his lungs, with daily medications and bandage changes. Our worst fears were realised a couple of days ago when Bernie took a turn for the worst.
“We were heartbroken as we said goodbye to our dear friend who trusted us enough to help him.”
Ms Pohlner said volunteers laid him to rest under eucalyptus trees.
An estimated 200 animals are in her care at the sanctuary, where she and other volunteers work to rehabilitate and return injured animals to nature.
She said the sanctuary often received calls to attend to animals caught in burn-offs that get out of control.
“It is a common thing for people’s controlled burn or bonfire to get out of control. This is the consequence of what happens.
“We deal with wildlife every day. There’s no textbook to say on Monday we deal with burns, or Tuesday we deal with car accidents.
“We just respond to what happens.”
