Sam the Koala and Victoria Bush Fires

As the devastation of the bush fires raging across Victoria, Australia, the human death toll, already in the hundreds, continues to climb as entire towns are completely destroyed. Kangaroos, wallabys, lizards, birds— the flames are burning everything in their path. At one rescue center, volunteers reported over 2,000 dead gray-headed flying foxes, a native species of bat, because the animals suffered heat stroke.

Those animals who manage to burrow their way to safety long enough for the flames to pass, risk dying from smoke inhalation, or starving because the fire is taking everything in its path. Locals report birds killed by heat stroke or smoke inhalation falling from the sky. Cattle, horses, and pets are also victims.

Photos of "Sam the koala," injured in a controlled back burn, made papers around the world as a fireman David Tree offered the koala with severely burned paws a drink from a water bottle. Tree noticed the koala limped as the firefighters passed through a devastated area near Mirboo North, about 90 miles east of Melbourne, the capital of Victoria.

"It was amazing, he turned around, sat on his bum and sort of looked at me with (a look) like, put me out of my misery," Tree told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "I yelled out for a bottle of water. I unscrewed the bottle, tipped it up on his lips and he just took it naturally.

"He kept reaching for the bottle, almost like a baby."

Sam, whose paws were severely burned, is recovering well, and has made friends with a young male koala.

Fires, some set by arsonists, are still burning across Victoria. People have lost their lives, their families, and their homes. Donations can be sent to the Australian Red Cross's Victoria Bush Fire fund directly or via the American Australian Association's Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund Web sites. Donations directed to animal care can be sent via Wildlife Victoria.