Sam (or rather Samantha as she is a female) has become famous thanks to the footage of her being helped by Country Fire Service officer David Tree in the aftermath of the deadly bushfires.
The CFS team had to leave shortly after the footage was taken to protect a house, but a few minutes later, Sam was picked up by wildlife carers and taken to the Mountain Ash Wildlife Shelter in Rawson, Victoria. There Sam has been treated with antibiotics and pain and burn relief medication.
Sam has even found a new friend, a male Koala also saved from the bushfires.
Sam is expected to make a full recovery and will be fit enough to be released into the wild in around 4 months
Meanwhile, pictures of Sam are being sold, with proceeds going to the CFS.
Photo: Sam after treatment. Credit: Rebecca Michael.
Sam will not be released back to the wild, she's become iconic. People will want to met her, interact with her. She's now too important to be let go.
ReplyDeleteAnd then there's the fact she's amazingly tame. She's become used to people, and to being handled by them. There's every possibility that even if she is released back to the wild she'll approach humans for the companionship and help they provide. It happens with some of the seal and sea otter rescues around here.
So don't expect Sam to see the great wide open any time soon, without a human for security and comforting.
Sadly I have to agree with mythusmage, she probably will never end up back in the wild completely. I think the best that can be hoped is that she gets to be in a sanctuary or similar facility that is a very natural environment for her rather than a cage.
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