Viral video: Woman rushes into bushfire to rescue koala, people hail her as ‘legend’

The New South Wales resident, who was identified only as Toni, is seen giving the koala some water to drink before dousing it with some water. The animal is heard whimpering and whining  in pain, as the water is poured on its burn injuries.

[Disclaimer: Contents of the video are disturbing, viewer discretion is advised.]

After some time, another man is seen rushing with a blanket to help the injured animal. It was then wrapped in the blanket and brought out from the fire.

The koala was taken to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, according to CNN, where it is still being treated for the burns, and its condition is said to be “very serious”.

Many said the video was “disturbing” and “heartbreaking”, but praised the woman for attempting to rescue the animal while risking her own life.

“He has been called Ellenborough Lewis (after the woman’s grandchild). He has been treated and is now in the five star accommodation at the Koala Hospital,” the hospital wrote on Facebook, which is spearheading the rescue and rehabilitation of the injured koalas.

Lewis is around 14 years old … he’s well enough to have a munch on some eucalyptus leaves this morning. Is still suffering some serious burns after being rescued from a bushfire yesterday. 🐨 @9NewsSyd pic.twitter.com/OFzX9PqfeW

— Lizzie Pearl (@lizziepearl) November 19, 2019

The brave rescuer was reunited with the injured male koala, which is believed to be 14-years-old, at the hospital. The woman said it was a “natural instinct” to run into the fire to save the animal. However, the hospital staff called her a “legend”.

#EXCLUSIVE: You may remember Lewis, the latest victim of the #NSWBushfire crisis.

Today, his heroic rescuer was reunited with the Koala, to get an update on his health. @lizziepearl #9News pic.twitter.com/Avw1750p4c

— Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) November 20, 2019

“His feet are completely burnt and he has burns to his chest and stomach. He has been bandaged and given antibiotics but will take a lot of looking after, if he pulls through,” a hospital spokesperson told the news outlet 9 News.

In September this year, the eastern states of New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland experienced the worst fires in recorded history. As many as 350 rare koalas are feared to have died in a blaze in October that raged around 400 kilometers (248 miles) north of Sydney.

Koalas climb high into trees during wildfires and survive if the fire front passes quickly below them.