South Australia bushfire: Adorable moment koalas are released into the wild

A group of adorable koalas have been released back into the wild after being rescued from bushfires which killed hundreds of animals. 

South Australian firefighters were extinguishing a bushfire that had been burning for days in late January when one woman spotted something high up in a tree.

Three koalas were found huddling together as fires engulfed their surroundings in Cherry Gardens, a suburb of Adelaide.

Three koalas (pictured) have been released back into the wild after being rescued from a raging bushfire in South Australia

The Southern Koala Rescue team nursed the three koalas back to health before releasing them into the bush last week.

Burnadette, the female koala, was found in a terrible condition suffering burns to her face and mouth.

The older male, Bundy, was found cuddling Beau, the younger koala, in a bid to shield him from the flames.

In the footage, the koalas eagerly ran towards open pastures but Beau appeared to have forgotten what a tree looked like as he climbed up a wooden fence post instead.

‘Beau did temporarily forget what a tree looked like. Don’t worry it wasn’t long before he joined Burnadette high up a tree,’ the Southern Koala Rescue wrote on their social media.

The marsupials eagerly ran towards open pastures but little  Beau (pictured) appeared to have forgotten what a tree looked like as he climbed up a wooden fence post instead

Many viewers have been touched by the footage, commending the Southern Koala Rescue for their efforts.

‘Seeing three koalas released at once is magical!’, one commented while a second said, ‘warms the heart seeing them get back to their natural homes.’

‘It’s amazing the work the Southern Koala Rescue do to help these creatures,’ a third said. 

Bushfires and habitat destruction caused by human activities have ultimately contributed to the decline of the koala all over Australia.

A NSW parliamentary inquiry in June 2020 found at least 5,000 koalas died in the bushfires that ravaged the country during the Black Summer fires.

NSW warned that koalas in the state could become extinct in 30 years unless their habitat is protected.

The bushfire in Cherry Gardens not only threatened wildlife but also the lives and homes of many as residents were urged to evacuate.

About 300 firefighters and 70 CFS volunteers supported by 20 fire trucks and seven aircraft were battling the blaze. 

The RFS warned locals to defend their properties or flee.

Koalas were found huddling together as fires burned around them in Cherry Gardens, South Australia. Pictured: Burnadette, Bundy and Beau released back into the wild