In 2020 we had the pleasure of working with wonderful Dr Lu Fenny at Cohuna Koala Park. Dr Lu was collaborating with the wildlife park before heading over to volunteer at Kangaroo Island during the devastating 2019/2020 bushfires.
Formally known as Cohuna Wildlife Park, Cohuna Koala Park began their journey with koalas in 1982 with the arrivals of four koalas from South Australia. In 2005, the popular wildlife park was renamed as their colony continued to grow – now homing over twenty-five koalas, increasing the near endangered species by an average of four joeys every year.
Fun Koala Fact: Joeys develop in the pouch for 6 months. After this, they ride their Mother’s backs for a further 6 months, then only using the pouch for eating and sleeping
In January of 2020, we had the pleasure of photographing Dr Lu as she visited the wildlife park and captured some of her first ever koala cuddles. As she was getting ready to head over to Kangaroo Island, Viasat (whom she had previously worked while filming Desert Vet) reached out and asked for some video footage that they could use to help spread awareness and fundraise for the Island. Dr Lu worked with Viasat filming footage at Cohuna Koala Park, which resulted in fundraising a whopping $34,000+
Best known for holistic veterinary practices and for her appearance on popular TV show Desert Vet – following her Dad (Rick aka “Red Dog vet”), brother (Ed) and herself across the Pilbara region – Dr Lu flew to Kangaroo Island to volunteer during this devastating time. During December of 2019, lightening struck the island causing fires to burn out of control, affecting 211,000 of the Island’s 440,500 hectares all the way through to February 2020. 1.5 billion animal’s lives were lost during the fires, including the loss of half of the Island’s 50,000 koala population. Dr Lu spent her time searching, caring and treating wildlife, particularly a large number of injured and starved koalas. She also spent her time working with the local community, such as farmers who were struggling to control fires on their property.
It’s heroes like Dr Lu and other volunteers such as firefighters, the Defense Force, wildlife organisations and your every day people like you and I who volunteer their time, resources and donate that allow places like Kangaroo Island to rebuild after such devastation. Dr Lu continues to take care of pets and wildlife through her practices back home and through animal conservation, like that at Cohuna Koala Park – we are able to work together to protect our beautiful Australian wildlife and their habitats.
