Australian cyclist who gave thirsty koala a drink now raising money for them

Anna Heusler is an Australian cyclist.

But lately, she’s been pedalling around the countryside helping her country’s dwindling koala population devastated by raging bushfires.

Photos and videos of her began surfacing giving water to a parched koala while aboard her bike. Soon, she was volunteering at a koala rehab facility, and now she’s raising money for them.

In under a week, more than $30,000 in crowdfunding efforts — well beyond Heusler’s $10,000 goal.

And it all started with this little guy.

“Meeting this little guy 😍 who I’ve named ‘Kodak’ has changed my life,” Huesler posted on Instagram.

 

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Meeting this little guy 😍 who I’ve named “Kodak” has changed my life. I’ve started volunteering with Adelaide Koala Rescue and I’ve been personally involved in the rescue of 3 koalas. 🐨 Kodak has helped bring worldwide media attention to the devastation of the bushfires and the threat to our wildlife. 🦘I’ve also started a Go Fund Me campaign which has reached over $15K in 3 days and is still growing thanks to the generosity of folks from around the 🌍 for which I offer a massive THANK YOU 🙏🙏🙏 : Please see my “Go Fund Me” page which is on my Instagram profile bio that I have commenced to raise money for the rescue team caring for over 100 sick and injured koalas in Adelaide. : : : #cyclingtips #cycling #roadcycling #roadbike #roadbikelife #lifeonabike #travelbybike #cyclingphotography #cycleshots #rideyourbike #instacycle #veloclub #cyclinglife #fromwhereride #switchbacks #roadslikethese #cyclingpassion #cyclingworld #whenindoubtpedalitout #womenonbikes #womenriders @cyclingtips @veloclub.cc @iamspecialized @iamspecialized_wmn @womenridebikes #rideadelaide #radelaide #adelaide #adelaidehills #southaustralia

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The koala was sitting in the middle of the road in Adelaide at the end of December.

“This koala walked right up to me as I was descending and climbed up onto my bike while I gave him water,” she wrote on Instagram.

 

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There were about a dozen cyclists around me watching this (all men) and several commented that it was genuinely the best thing they’ve witnessed. What a truly wonderful experience. Check out my previous posts this morning for explanation. : Please see my “Go Fund Me” page which is on my Instagram profile bio that I have commenced to raise money for the rescue team caring for over 100 sick and injured koalas in Adelaide. @bikebug2019 : #cyclingtips #cycling #roadcycling #roadbike #roadbikelife #lifeonabike #travelbybike #cyclingphotography #cycleshots #rideyourbike #instacycle #veloclub #cyclinglife #fromwhereride #switchbacks #roadslikethese #cyclingpassion #cyclingworld #whenindoubtpedalitout #womenonbikes #womenriders @cyclingtips @veloclub.cc @iamspecialized @iamspecialized_wmn @womenridebikes #rideadelaide #radelaide #adelaide #adelaidehills #southaustralia #koala #koalabear #koalabears #australia

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The video is remarkable.

“There were about a dozen cyclists around me watching this (all men) and several commented that it was genuinely the best thing they’ve witnessed. What a truly wonderful experience,” she added.

 

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PHOTO OF THE DAY 😍😍😍 Australian Koala Bears 🐻 suffering severe thirst in a heatwave. This Koala walked right up to me as I was descending and climbed up onto my bike while I gave him water. BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO ME ON A RIDE EVER. : Please see my “Go Fund Me” page which is on my Instagram profile bio that I have commenced to raise money for the rescue team caring for over 100 sick and injured koalas in Adelaide. @bikebug2019 : : : #cyclingtips #cycling #roadcycling #roadbike #roadbikelife #lifeonabike #travelbybike #cyclingphotography #cycleshots #rideyourbike #instacycle #veloclub #cyclinglife #fromwhereride #switchbacks #roadslikethese #cyclingpassion #cyclingworld #whenindoubtpedalitout #womenonbikes #womenriders @cyclingtips @veloclub.cc @iamspecialized @iamspecialized_wmn @womenridebikes #rideadelaide #radelaide #adelaide #adelaidehills #southaustralia #koala #koalabear #koalabears #australia

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Since then she’s been volunteering with Adelaide Koala Rescue.

And, she says she’s helped rescue three koalas.

All since her Kodak moment, if you will.

“Kodak has helped bring worldwide media attention to the devastation of the bushfires and the threat to our wildlife,” Heusler added.

Her GoFundMe page effort will go directly to the care of sick and injured koalas.

One of the dozens of koalas now in rehab at the Adelaide Koala Rescue. Anna Heusler/GoFundMe

“The money that you have generously donated will all go to this charity and will be used towards the care and rehabilitation of the 110 koalas that we presently have, and the ongoing rescue and care for any future koalas that need help,” Heusler explained.

Donations to Heusler’s campaign have poured in from around the world.

One of the donors, Susan Uchida, wrote, “Our hearts are breaking for you. Much love from Canada. Thank you for all you’re doing to save those precious animals.”


Photos Anna Heusler/Instagram/GoFundMe

About the author

Recovering newspaper reporter.

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