Thousands of koalas’ homes wiped out: Stunning before and after photo reveals the devastating damage wreaked by bushfires on Kangaroo Island
- Bushfire ripped through Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia Friday
- Almost half of its koala population and hundreds of other animals were killed
- Before and after pictures of Flinders Chase National Park reveal devastation
Incredible images show the devastation raging bushfires have caused to the once-pristine wilderness on Kangaroo Island.
An inferno ripped through the small island off the coast of South Australia on Friday night, claiming the lives of at least half of its koala population.
Before and after pictures of the winding road through Flinders Chase National Park reveal exactly how brutal the ferocious fires were.
Before and after pictures of the winding road through Flinders Chase National Park reveal exactly how brutal the ferocious fires were
A rescued koala injured in a bushfire in Kangaroo Island recovers at Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park
The road, which was once filled with lush greenery, has been left completely charred, with nothing but blackened branches remaining.
The stark contrast between the two images has been heartbreaking for many.
‘How f***ing devastating,’ one person wrote.
‘I’m so sad for my country and our beautiful wildlife,’ another person said.
‘I can’t even comprehend everything that has happened yet,’ wrote another.
A convoy of army vehicles with up to 100 reservists arrived on the island on Monday to help the community.
Work has been also underway to restore power supplies with about 600 properties still without electricity.
SA Power Networks says customers may be without services for an extended period while the damage to equipment is determined.
The Great Southern Ocean Lodge (pictured before the fire), one of Australia’s first true luxury lodge, on Kangaroo Island was destroyed by a bushfire
Following Friday’s blaze the luxury resort was almost unrecognizable
Dead kangaroos and sheep near the roadside following devastating fires on Kangaroo Island
It says only a portion of the affected area has been inspected so far and crews have already identified 12km of lines brought down.
Some mobile phone and landline services in parts of Kangaroo Island are down, with Telstra advising it is working as quickly as possible to restore connections.
Cooler weather and some rain across the fireground on Saturday and Sunday brought some relief but the Country Fire Service declared a total fire ban for Monday in the wake of a number of flare-ups and the prospect of rising temperatures from Wednesday.
A large number of homes, farms and other buildings are thought destroyed along with tourism and service infrastructure.
The fire also claimed two lives with outback pilot Dick Lang, 78, and his 43-year-old son Clayton Lang, who were killed when their car became trapped by flames near Parndana.
The small island off the coast of South Australia state is home to about 4,500 people