Australian bushfires: Hundreds of endangered koalas dead

Hundreds of endangered koalas have been lost in bushfires ravaging New South Wales, Australia. 

A wildlife experts says more than 550 are dead in the town of Glen Innes alone.

The local koala sanctuary is searching for injured animals, but so far only rescued 20, plus one joey.

Koala Hospital Port Macquarie team leader Amanda Gordon says it is devastating.

"We've got teams going out on the fire grounds still as we speak, looking for wildlife. We are not seeing a lot, which means they've been burnt."

She says the population is going to take a long time to recover.

Gordon has worked there for more than 15 years, and says the animals are suffering.

"Radiant burns, the koalas come in [with] very blackened fur, their noses are burned and peeling. We give them lots of formula to get their hydration up."

She says it is all hands in with volunteers working multiple shifts at a time.

"We've had people make mittens for the koalas, we've been flooded with donations of towels and sheets, all kinds of things we need - medication." 

She says right now the best way to help is to go to the Koala Hospital Port Macquarie website and 'adopt' a koala.

Four people have been killed in the unprecedented blazes.