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Scientists seek rare species survivors amid Australia flames

Posted at 12:01 AM, Jan 19, 2020
and last updated 2020-01-19 00:01:51-05

Much of Australia is still ablaze in an unprecedented wildfire season that has already charred an area the size of Kentucky.

Scientists fear that some of Australia's unique and colorful endangered species may not recover.

Now they are looking for surviving representatives of rare species including the kangaroo-like brush-tailed rock wallabies, and helping threatened creatures get enough food and water in recently scorched forests.

Koalas are not now in imminent danger of extinction, but scientists worry that the iconic marsupial's habitat has been greatly reduced by wildfires.

Scientists say climate change is making massive wildfires more common.