Ecologists estimate that about 25,000 koalas, which account for about half of the island's population, have been killed • The island considered a natural gem serves as a haven for a large number of animals
Photo: NASA
One third of an island in Australia, known as "Kangaroo Island" and used as a haven for a large number of animal species and wildlife, has been burned by the huge wildfires that sweep the country. This is according to satellite images published by the US Space Agency, NASA.
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The damage done to Kangaroo Island, located south of Australia, was documented by NASA's satellite yesterday (Tuesday). For the pearl of nature, it is colored reddish brown by the intense flames.
"Kangaroo Island" before and after the fires // Photo: NASA
NASA estimates that the disaster, dubbed "ecological tragedy," has already consumed over one hundred and five hundred square miles of the island's territory. Rare and protected animals include kangaroos, koalas, sea lions and many species of birds.
The devastating flames that hit the unique island from the end of December have already caused the deaths of two people, demolished 56 homes and damaged hundreds of buildings, the Australian authorities said. The photos from the US Space Agency show that most of the fires focused on the west side of the island, and, according to estimates, the fires began as a result of lightning in the Flinders Chase National Park.
Koala Rescue on Kangaroo Island // Photo: Reuters
Now, ecologists in the area estimate that about 25,000 koalas on the island, which make up about half of the island's population, have been killed in the wildfire. About half of the island is characterized by uncreated forested land and about a quarter of the island's territory is defined as parkland or nature reserve. The "kangaroo", famous for its wildlife and because the foot of humans has not been on the island for years, has evolved there uninterrupted animal population and unique vegetation.