The now-famous koala named Lewis has died in a local koala hospital just days after a local woman saved him from a wildfire in the Australian region of New South Wales. Lewis was treated for his wounds, but they were so severe he could not be saved.
A total of 116 bush and grass fires are burning across NSW with 56 uncontained and more than 2000 firefighters in the field being supported by aircraft.
Blazes continue to burn across eastern Australia. Nine people have died and hundreds of homes have been destroyed since the emergency began in November.
The impact on wildlife is unknown, but vast areas of habitat have been scorched. Officials fear the toll on native flora and woodland will be immense.
The country’s koala populations have been a major victim of the bushfires, with thousands of the animals feared killed.
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