Current Events > Once abandoned dog now declared a hero after rescuing over 100 Koalas from fires

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Australian Koolie named Bear has been named a hero, winning an award from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).Bear was trained in Australia at the University of the Sunshine Coast, where their Detection Dogs for Conservation team taught the former rescue dog to use his heightened sense of smell to hunt out the injured koalas among the ashes.

Research Fellow Dr Romane Cristescu, who leads the USC team, said Bear received extra pats and extra play after he was honored via video during the IFAW Animal Action Awards event in Londons House of Lords.

She said Bears sense of smell, along with his enthusiasm for play, made him ideal for research projects such as recognizing the scent of koala fur in the bush.

IFAW, which sponsors Bear, said the dog had been a ray of hope as he searched burned habitat to help the USC/IFAW team and their partners to rescue over 100 koalas.

Previously, he had found himself in an animal shelter after his former owners gave him up due to behavior issues caused by his boundless energy and obsessive enthusiasm for play.

Dr Cristescu, an ecologist and former veterinarian, said the USC/IFAW koala detection dog is continuing to contribute to wildlife rescues and research with the teams other canine colleagues.

Bear and our team are studying the effects of the 2019-20 bushfires on koala health and habitat density in collaboration with IFAW, she said.

In addition, Bear has an ongoing day job of locating koalas for welfare rescue missions, in collaboration with local rescue groups.

He is always happy to give a paw to find koalas as part of the Detection Dogs for Conservations other research activities.

Full Article: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/dog-gets-award-for-rescuing-koalas/



What asshat abandons their dog because he wants to play?

Jerks.

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Well that's awesome

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Would you guys save this pup, CE? Or would you still take the money?

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That'll do, bear. That'll do.

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electrochica posted...

Would you guys save this pup, CE? Or would you still take the money?

I would not. I also don't like koalas. They're vicious things. Have you seen those claws?

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UnfairRepresent posted...

What asshat abandons their dog because he wants to play?

It's possible he felt bad that he wasn't around the dog enough to give him what he wanted and hoped he would go to a family where he'd be happier.

But he's probably an asshole.

Looking forward to the eventual low budget Australian movie about this. They made two movies solely about a red dog who just walked around Australia making friends.

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BloodMoon7 posted...

I would not. I also don't like koalas. They're vicious things. Have you seen those claws?

But look at his little shoes....

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electrochica posted...

But look at his little shoes....

Looks kinda weird ngl

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