Koalas injured in Australian wildfires return to their habitat

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Koala hospital overwhelmed by fire 1:26

(CNN) - It is a time to have good news: Several koalas that were injured in wildfires in Australia in 2019 have been returned to their natural habitat.

Marsupials were being cared for at the world's only koala hospital, located in the city of Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia.

One of the most famous of the group is Anwen, a koala whose photos went viral due to the severe nature of her burns that covered 90% of her body.

Anwen was the third patient admitted to Port Macquarie Koala Hospital in October 2019.

• Up to 30% of koalas may have died in New South Wales wildfires in Australia, says minister

Now, however, he is joining other koalas that have been resettled in the Lake Innes Nature Reserve in New South Wales, which is located in the Tasman Sea off the state coast about 235 km north of Newcastle.

Anwen is one of 26 koalas that will be returned to their habitat in the course of a week. Hospital employees carefully considered a mix of ages and sexes of koalas to create a comprehensive community, especially since they expect animals to reproduce and increase their populations in the wild.

But it wasn't just the koalas that had to rest and heal. Although the Innes Lake area suffered severe fire damage, higher than expected amounts of rain allowed the animals to be released earlier than planned.

• Rescuers reunite baby koala with mother

"As we all face difficult and uncertain times, this incredible story of hope serves as a reminder of the resilience of our incredible flora and fauna and people," said Phillipa Harrison, managing director of Tourism for Australia, in a statement.

And for a country hit first by natural disasters and then by the effects of the global covid-19 pandemic, Australia is happy to have some positive news to share.

Tourists are not going to Australia right now, but there are still ways to support koalas from home, such as joining the hospital's online program adopt a koala.

Tourism Australia has also created an online portal with virtual tours, custom backgrounds, and a vacation planner.

- The Koala Hospital, Cnr Roto Place & Lord St, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444, Australia, +61 02 6584 1522

Koalas