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By Wednesday, the clip, shared on Nine News' Facebook page, had been viewed more than 1.2 million times.
Koala Rescue in the NSW BushfiresAnother day, another Koala rescue from the #NSWbushfires.
Posted by 9 News Sydney on Monday, November 18, 2019
In a Facebook post Wednesday, the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, which is caring for the koala, identified the rescuer by only her first name, Toni.
"She is an absolute legend for capturing this male koala who was so disorientated by the flames and unfortunately was burnt further as he headed back into the active fire," the post read.
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Rescuers are calling him Ellenborough Lewis, a nod to Toni's grandchild, the hospital added.
"He has been treated and is now in the five star accommodation at the Koala Hospital," according to the post.
Nine News, citing a spokesperson for the facility, reported that the approximately 14-year-old koala has a "50-50" chance of survival.
Meet Lewis the koala, rescued from a bushfire yesterday near Long Flat .... he’s been bandaged up and is going ok today. @9NewsSyd 🐨❤️ pic.twitter.com/yY02up1noY
— Lizzie Pearl (@lizziepearl) November 19, 2019
TONIGHT: The heroic lady, who bared all to save a burning Koala on the NSW Mid-North Coast is reunited with him. @lizziepearl has her incredible story of bravery, which has given Lewis a chance at life. #9News at 6.00pm! pic.twitter.com/p3sFJQG0sk
— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) November 20, 2019
If you'd like to contribute to the hospital, check out its GoFundMe campaign here.
Port Macquarie Koala Hospital says anyone who’d like to help Lewis and all his mates who aren’t doing so great after the bushfires can donate at https://t.co/FzcfNdpKoR 🐨 @9NewsSyd pic.twitter.com/DC3pS6Pgot
— Lizzie Pearl (@lizziepearl) November 20, 2019
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