[ZenGum]

This is aimed both to Cellar Dwellars, and especially to the many visitors who pop in for the Image of the Day.

I know we should prioritise human welfare in such a disaster but the charitable response to human need has been amazing and there hasn't been as much media attention on the impact on wildlife. Unlike human care agencies, wildlife carers receive NO government funding and desperately need supplies to care for the bushfire victims.

A friend of mine with links to animal welfare groups (sensible ones like RSPCA, not PETA) has provided me with this list of legitimate groups caring for injured and displaced wildlife.

So, if you want to help the koalas and kangaroos and all the other cute furry critters which are injured, homeless and faced with starvation, please donate to any of the following.

Donations can be made on line.

Wildlife Victoria: www.wildlifevictoria.org.au

AWARE (Australian Wildlife Assistance Rescue and Education) http://home.vicnet.net.au/~beaware/Index.html

WRAP Wildlife (Wildlife Rescue and Protection) http://www.wrap.org.au/

BADGER Emergency Wildlife Rescue Gippsland & District http://www.wildlifeshelter.org.au/gippsland.htm

WRIN (Wildlife Rescue and Information Network) http://www.wrin.asn.au/links.htm

Help for Wildlife http://www.helpforwildlife.com/

: shakes tin, smiles :

BTW, that firefighter's name is David TREE
He says the reason the koala was holding his hand was that he had put some water in his cupped palm for the koala to drink, but her paw was burned and she preferred to soak it in the water for pain relief.

ETA: They will need money for 6 to 12 months to come, so even if you are visiting this site months after this post, your donation is still very welcome.