The Koala Who Cooled Down By Taking A Cold Bath in A Bucket

It may not be the most common of bear necessities.

But when faced with a scorching heatwave, this incredibly cute koala decided a bath in a large white bucket filled with icy water was the only way to cool down.

Unfortunately, there is a sad story behind the endearing picture.

This baby koala had actually been abandoned by its mother and had to be rescued from the scorching heatwave that has wrecked havoc across Australia.

Tracey Young found him huddled beneath a her veranda, shaking and looking very sick.

'The mum had become distressed and disorientated by the heat so she left the baby on its own,' she said.

'They're normally up the tree together, in a pair, and we see them all the time.

'I had to scoop water up in my hand to get it to drink and at first it wasn't very responsive.

'Eventually it realised the water was in the bowl and it just climbed in itself.

'The kids, being very protective, circled the koala until the wildlife lady came and took it.'
The koala is being cared for by animal welfare staff until it is strong enough to be released.

Mrs Young, who lives in Maude, a town between Melbourne and Geelong, said its mother had returned to their backyard, apparently waiting for its baby to come back.

Bizarrely, the little koala has now become an internet star after pictures of it in the bucket were emailed around the world.

The heat has had a devastating effect on Australia's wildlife.

With temperatures in some parts of the country staying above 40C for six days in a row, many animals have perished while others have needed the attention of wildlife officers.