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CNN Sunday Morning

Fires Threaten Wildlife in Australia

Aired January 06, 2002 - 08:47   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Wild bush fires near Sydney, Australia have been burning since before Christmas, and now some people feel that Australia's adorable koalas could be caught in fiery path.

Kirsty Boazman of Australia's channel 7 has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KIRSTY BOAZMAN, CHANNEL 7 REPORTER (voice-over): During the fires of '94, tens of koalas were treated for burns, even severe breathing problems. They can't hide or run far, so they're at a bush fire's mercy.

EVAN HARRIS, FEATHERDALE WILDLIFE PARK: Well, their main defense is to climb up as high as they can. Now if the fire comes through on the ground, then they're normally all right.

BOAZMAN: This fire has torn through the treetops. Wildlife carriers (ph) have had their hands full with injured opossums, joeys and gliders, but not one koala has been found.

SAM EDMONDS, WIRES: It would suggest that the majority of the animals have certainly been killed by the fires.

BOAZMAN: It will take months to find out how many koalas have been killed or injured.

BRIAN GILLIGAN, NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE: It will be a case of some of those researchers picking up on the fires and doing follow- up surveys.

BOAZMAN: About 200 near live Campbelltown; fire tore through that area. A similar story near Mittagong, Peak Hill and Port Stephens.

HARRIS: Only recently we've seen a few animals move back into these areas of Lapstone and other areas in the Blue Mountains, which now again are under serious threat.

BOAZMAN (on camera): The international interest in the plight of New South Whales' koalas has been phenomenal. Their faces considered the fourth most recognized symbol in the world after Coca Cola, IBM and the panda bear. (voice-over): There are about 80,000 koalas left in Australia. They're not endangered yet.

Kirsty Boazman, 7 News.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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