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The most unlikely survivors KATHERINE SAMPSON
Bushfires bring death and destruction; but from the smoke emerge the stories of the victims who could only cling to one another until the danger had passed.
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hen a devastating bushfire swept through Ravensbourne and its surrounding areas the wildlife who called this bushland their home had little hope of survival. It was almost two weeks before wildlife rescuers Judi and Brendon Gray and other wildlife rescuers could enter the ash-filled forest in search of survivors. “I must admit the first few days we didn’t find anything alive,” Judi said Once the first living creature, a koala, was found hopes were lifted, but it didn’t last long. “The first koala they rescued was exciting, but he had to be put down,” says Judi. In their search they were unable to find any living possums, gliders or macropods, such as kangaroos and wallabies. Judi was most concerned for the endangered brush tailed rock wallabies. “They only have a small territory that they live in here,” she said.
FROM LEFT: PENNY BEFORE HER RESCUE AFTER PECHEY HAMPTON FIRES (PHOTO BY BRENDON GRAY), PENNY’S NATURALLY DARK FUR AMAZED EVERYONE. TCHE01Z01ST - V1
