Sam the Koala - meets her saviour. Up date 11-02-09

A symbol of hope in a week filled with so much loss of life and devastation in one of Australia's southern States - Victoria.

In this video, SAM - the world's most famous koala - met the man who was her saviour, Country Fire Authority volunteer David Tree.

The Herald Sun reported, "Mr Tree was close to tears when he was reunited with his new furry friend at the Mountain Ash Wildlife Shelter in Rawson, where Sam is recovering from third degree burns to her paws.

The pair became accidental faces of the devastating bushfires when Mr Tree gave an exhausted Sam a drink from his water bottle in the middle of burnt-out bush in Mirboo North."

Sam the koala video goes global on TV across the world
http://tinyurl.com/dbtyr3

It's been reported that over one million of our wild animals may have perished in the worst fires in Australia's history. It will take many many years to recover what we once had and what we probably took too much for granted. WE need our animals in the wild - the environment needs the animals in the wild - without one we don't have the other.

Donations:

http://www.wildlifevictoria.org.au/cms/index.php

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I received this poem in an e-mail so I'm hoping the author won't mind me sharing it here. If so, please let me know an I'll remove it. It tells it like it is and is so sad. (¨`·.·´¨) Always `·.¸(¨`·.·´¨) Have (¨`·.·´¨)¸.·´ Faith `·.¸.·´ & Hope.

Black is all I see.

Where green and gold once cloaked the land
Where eucalypt and pine did stand
Where man did live and lay his hand
Now black is all I see.

Where horses grazed and cattle drank
Where grasses lined the river bank
Where stood a house and water tank
Now black is all I see.

There was a town with store and hall
Which proudly stood neath ridges tall
Now nothing moves or lives at all
And black is all I see.

There stood a home and there another
Where lived a daughter, father , mother
A sister, cousin, niece or brother
Now black is all I see.

Our nation grieves and holds them tight
Throughout the darkness of the night
Till daybreak brings an ashy light
And black is all I see.

"Poor fella, my country"
N.D. 11 FEB 2009

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Australia
• Koala
• Wild
• Animals
• Fire
• Victoria

[gottaliv]

Sam's final resting place of honour will be in the Melbourne Museum right next to Phar Lap.

"The story of Sam will help us to understand and remember the devastation that the events of February 2009 had on the people of this state and their extraordinary determination to recover and move forward with their lives."

Her spirit will live on in the people to whom she was very important, we won't forget her.

[gottaliv]

Sam, our famous Koala, has died today.

She was to undergo surgery to treat cysts as a result of urogenital chlamydiosis, a life-threatening disease that affects 50 per cent of the Koala population.

Vet John Butler told waiting media outside Morwell Veterinary Clinic "Due to complications with the disease, the best course of action was to put Sam down.

Colleen Wood and her team at Southern Ash Wildlife shelter and all who were involved with Sam are devastated by this loss.

RIP Sam. :(

[MRMILO57]

gottaliv ....I hear there is talk of a memorial for Sam.

I think this is a new turning point for the welfare of animals and wildlife. It astounds me at how many people care for there pets these days, this is very good. The expression of sympathy all because of a dear and very appreciative kaola called Sam.

[gottaliv]

MRMILO57 "....I hear there is talk of a memorial for Sam."

Thanks for that info, good to hear - there's a reason for everything eh, and Sam gave people a reason to hang in there who desperately needed something out of the ordinary to believe in. She did what was needed when it was needed the most and now she's at peace.

As well as being sad that she died we should also be very happy that she lived. I am. :)

[gottaliv]

Due to the amount of scum-bags posting porn sites in the comments, commenting is now disabled.

To the people still wanting to help Australia's wild-life please click on the link in the blurb to the right for more information.

It will take many years to recover what we once had but some things will never be recovered, so help will be needed for a long time to come. Anything at all you can contribute will be greatly appreciated.

Thankyou to all others for the positive and kind comments.

[gottaliv]

I've just posted a poem in the info section on the right, if interested please read. I don't know the author but she/he describes the situation so well, and it really is so sad.

[wotmeworry333123456]

see? we can get along and help each other. this story is truly inspiring.

[MagsandIzzy]

What a lot of trust wee Sam gave to her helpers.  I followed her story from day one. Rest in peace Sam. Your carers must be in a lot of pain when you died.

[itchyundies]

mr Tree what a guy a real champ

[adofri]

@gottaliv what happend february 2009? lol

[cannaloopy]

@gumnutbaby74 CHINA EATS CATS AND DOGS(DOMESTECATED COMPANION ANIMALS.THEY KEEPTHEM ALIVE TILL SLAUGHTER BECAUSE THEY NEEDTO TERRFIFY THE ANIMAL VICTIM WITH TORTURE SO THE ADERNALIN WILL FLOW TO ITS MUSCLE TISSUE IN ORDER TO REND A MORE TENDER FLESH.BON APPATITE.TREATS EM BETTER?.THE LIVES THAT CANNOT SPEAK UP?LIKE HUMANS?WHERE.?HUMAN IS THE ROOT WORD FOR HUMANE.WHERE IS THE HUMANITY?.PANDAS BRING CHINESE RECOGNITION AND COMMERCE.LIKE TREATING YOUR DIAMOND RING CAREFULLY.

[cannaloopy]

@mrsdohring IM FROM AMERICA AND IM ASHAMED OF IDIOTS THAT SAY IGNORANT SHIT SUCH AS EXTRAMURAL TOTALLY STUPID SPEW.i LOVE ANIMALS AND AUSTRAILIA IS THE HOME OF MANY ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST (CAN YOU SAY STEVE IRWIN ANYONE?)PLEASE ACCEPT MY REGRET ON BEHALF OF (IF HE TRULY WAS AMERICAN)BLOODY STUPID STEAMING PILES OF OFFAL SUCH AS THE IDIOT KNOWN AS EXTRAMURAL

[cannaloopy]

@dsam74 YOU ARE SOOOO CORRECT

[cannaloopy]

@SrpskiBrod HAVE LATELY COME ACROSS ACOMMENT MADE ON KOALA IMTHINKIN THAT THIS PERSON CANT FIND AN ACUAL BEING TO TALK WITH HIM ON HIS HOMOPHOBIC AND HATEFUL IDEAS.THIS PERSON THOUGHTS TELL ME THAT HE WAS NOT FROM USA,ALTHOUGH ITS IMPORTANT ENUFF TO ME TO TELL U .I AM AMERICAN AND I CHERISH ALL NATURE PEOPLE,GODS GIFTS BUT DO NOT LOOK FOR HATRED THAT VERY WRETCHED PEEPS MUST VENT IN ORDER TO B RITE WITH THE WORLD.iVE READ HIS EXACT SAME COMMENTS ON OTHER SITES DIFFERENT SUBJECTS-YOUTUBE /

[sweetpeaify]

When did she die :(

[minawa25]

im glad that those fireman found the little girl... but i bet she had the best last days of her life...

[LonelyayMarxaa721]

lÔl_Í_fÈél_sÖ_lOñélý_t0dãy

[martinamurder]

poor baby :( RIP