A dog has been bravely saving koala bears from the bushfires in Australia.
The Border Collie-Koolie cross, named Bear, has a unique talent for identifying koala faeces and fur using his sense of smell.
He has been sent to burnt-out areas in the Northern Rivers region wearing socks to cover his paws, and has been taught to sit still to alert his handler Rianna when the injured animals are nearby.
Photos of Bear in action were shared by mcharity IFAW in a post saying: "Unfortunately no koalas were found, but we are hopeful that survivors will be found in nearby areas".
He was trained to rescue koalas at Sunshine Coast University, after being abandoned by his owners because he has obsessive compulsive disorder.
IFAW campaigner Joey Sharrad said: "Now, more than ever, saving individual koalas is critical.
"With such an intense start to the bushfire season, it will be many weeks and months before some of these fires are out.
"All the while, wildlife will continue to need to be rescued and treated, and might remain in care for some time. The road to recovery will be long."
Wildfires have spread across New South Wales, Queensland and the Sunshine Coast over the past few weeks, causing at least three deaths and the destruction of 150 homes.
Ros Irwin, President of Friends of the Koala, said: "The fires in the Northern Rivers have been so extensive that we fear hundreds of koalas may have been lost.
"We are on call and expect to receive more sick and injured koalas in the coming days and weeks. Every animal coming in, even before the fires, was dehydrated and malnourished due to the drought.
"We are standing by with specially-trained volunteers ready to go in and are working alongside the Rural Fire Service, National Parks and Forestry Corporation who have all been wonderfully supportive.”
