An Australian animal welfare group has named a successor to Bear, a renowned rescue dog who saved over 100 koalas from bushfires. Bear, who was one of Australia’s first koala detection dogs, retired in March after a decade of service. His tracking abilities were instrumental in locating surviving koalas during the intense Black Summer bushfires from late 2019 to early 2020, which devastated large areas along the eastern seaboard.
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Following Bear’s retirement, the International Fund for Animal Welfare began searching for a new detection dog. The organization acknowledged the challenge of finding a replacement, noting that Bear had left "very big boots to fill." After reviewing numerous applications, including some from the United States, they selected a koolie named Oaka.
Josey Sharrad, Oceania head of programs for the welfare fund, expressed hope that Oaka could embody the qualities Bear exhibited. Sharrad stated, "We didn't know it would be possible to find a new Bear. He was truly one of a kind... but then along came Oaka." Oaka was previously deemed "too much to handle" by her original family, but a local rescue group identified her potential and submitted an application. She successfully passed the initial assessment with high marks.
Frederic Chappee, director of canine units for the welfare group, praised Oaka by saying she was "almost too good to be true." He emphasized that while Bear became an icon for his achievements, the absence he created presents an opportunity Oaka could fill.
With fire services anticipating a harsher bushfire season due to the presence of El Niño, Oaka’s training will be expedited. Sharrad highlighted the urgent need for a skilled koala detection dog, stating, "With El Niño already here and a tough summer on the horizon, our koalas will need all the help they can get, whether it comes on two legs or four."