World lends helping hand to wildlife injured by fire

A call by an Australian wildlife welfare body for locals to help in the recovery of animals injured in wildfires that ravaged parts of Australia last week saw an unprecedented international response on Tuesday, thanks to social media.

The affected native koala bears, which normally live in trees, were first given drinks from water bottles by caring people to keep them alive, but those rescued had badly burned paws after clinging to hot branches.

The solution was simple. Treat the burns with medication, then place glovelike mittens over the burned paws.