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Koalas survive bushfire
By Vincent Morello
December 6th, 2006 12:47pm
ONE of the country's largest and most important koala colonies survived a large bushfire that swept
through central-western NSW.
Thousands of koalas came under threat from a fire that broke out in the Pilliga Nature Reserve, near
Coonabarabran, in central-western NSW, three weeks ago.
Wildlife rescuers from Sydney's Taronga Zoo and the National Parks and Wildlife Service rushed to
the region last Friday but could not access the area.
An assessment should begin today, but Taronga Zoo spokeswoman Danielle McGill said most of the
koalas in the colony were expected to have survived the blaze that destroyed 82,600ha.
"The majority of the key known koala habitats in the Pilliga have been unaffected," Ms McGill said
today.
"We do know that some of the sites where koalas have been seen in the past have been burnt but not
extensively."
Wildlife authorities say the Pilliga area holds the most genetically diverse population of koalas in
Australia because of the size and quality of the bushland.
The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) estimates the fire in the 400,000 hectare site will be contained in a
matter of days.
It is one of 70 bushfires that began across the state in November and the only one firefighters are yet to
contain.
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86.) What natural disaster has been threatening koalas in NSW? have been threatening koakas in NSW..
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87.) In which month did this happen? This happened in .
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88.) Which word in the story is used to mean "bushfire"? .
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89.) Who is the author of this story? is the author of this story.
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90.) Who does Danielle McGill work for? .
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91.) On which day of the month was this story written? .
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92.) What has happened to some of the places where koalas have been seen in the past? They have been .
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93.) How long will it take to control the fires? It will take to control the fires.
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94.) How much area of land has been burnt? of land is being burnt.
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95.) How many fires have been controlled in NSW in November? fires have been controlled in NSW in November.