Australia’s wildfires will go down in history. It’s normal for the country to have some manageable wildfires every year, but this year saw some of the hottest and driest climates on record. For that reason, the wildfires started earlier than usual in 2019, and quickly became uncontrollable.

During this natural disaster on humongous proportions, thousands of acres of land were burned to nothingness. Habitats were destroyed, along with some of Australia’s rarest and most diverse living creatures.

It’s thought that more than 6,000 of Australia’s best-known animal, koalas, didn’t survive the fires.

That didn’t stop good Samaritans from doing their best to save these animals, though. There were countless videos and images online that showed voluntary firefighters carrying injured koalas to safety. Animal rescue facilities took the extra creatures in willingly, and new facilities were even established to help cope with demand.

For a while, it seemed like hope was only a tiny speck in the distance. But then – some good news.

At a rescue center called The Australian Reptile Park, a pregnant koala, who had been rescued from the fires, had given birth. The center shared their announcement along with an adorable video of the momma and baby, and, predictably, the internet lost their minds.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CAqlXzBgU7_/?utm_source=ig_embed

In the video, we get to witness a HD shot of the bleary-eyed little one hanging out with mom. Appropriately named Ash, this little girl is reportedly happy and healthy. If her momma hadn’t been rescued, it could have been an entirely different story.

Alongside the post, the center wrote:

“We have a very special announcement- our very first koala of the season has popped out of mum to say hello!”

Cute or what? Apparently, Ash has been hanging out in mom’s pouch for about 5 months already, and has only now plucked up the courage to say “hi” to the rest of the world.

Speaking in an interview about the miraculous birth, one of Ash’s keepers commented:

“Ash represents the start of what we’re hoping to be another successful breeding season. It was such an incredible moment when we saw Ash poke her head out of her mum’s pouch for the first time!”

Ash’s arrival into the world is actually great timing for giving The Australian Reptile Park a bit of publicity. The center has now reopened for the public since the COVID-19 pandemic. Before then, the centre had been shut due to fire damage, and then due to the dangers of the COVID-19 virus spreading.

In a recent statement about their opening, the center said:

“Our dedicated staff has been working throughout the lockdown to care for our animals, and now, we’re unbelievably excited to reopen our doors and welcome you back!”

We’re sure that for many people, Ash represents hope for the future of Australia’s wildlife. The country continues to put new efforts in place to rescue and protect its native animals every day.

Koalas like Ash and her momma are considered “vulnerable” in Australia because their habitats are so easily destroyed. While some of this is due to natural occurrences, like the bush fires, farming is often a cause. Australia is cracking down on the alteration of landscapes for farming use, just as the rest of the world is.

We wish baby Ash a happy life with plenty of cuddles and snacking!

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Source: Animal Channel, littlethings.com, NY Times