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The images of koalas facing the fires on social networks increased donations in an attempt to control the fires. REUTERS / PAUL'S PLACE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

On social networks, the publication of images of burning forests in Australia or of koalas in danger of death have increased the prize pools online to help stem the titanic fires ravaging the country.

Climate experts may have alerted and informed of the imminent planetary ecological disaster, this time we are facing it!

One of the direct consequences of global warming caused by our human activities is the mega-smokers that have been consuming southeast Australia since September. First victims of the announced tragedy? A billion animals perished in the flames of these gigantic fires and video testimonies and shock images have toured social networks around the world.

“ Their natural habitat has been destroyed and very few [koalas] will survive. Wallabys, kangaroos and deer will be able to run to take refuge, but not the koalas. They will climb up the tree, cling to the branches and if the flames reach them, they will be burned. "

Testimony on the situation of koalas in Australia 01/15/2020 Listen

The stars are mobilizing

A testimony among thousands of others who acted as a real shock on social networks. Immediately thousands of photos, videos, drawings of koalas and other iconic marsupials from the mainland are surging on the Web.

The calls for donations are increasing. The World Wide Fund for Nature, WWF , has already received more than 5 million euros and hopes to collect 27 soon. Many influential figures on social networks are doing the same. On Facebook, the Australian actress Celeste Barber, collects more than 30 million euros in donations from more than a million Internet users. Many other Australian celebrities such as the comedians Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe or the singer Kylie Minogue.

Star tennis players - as the Australian Open opens in a difficult environment - such as Serena Williams, Roger Fererer and Rafael Nadal have also announced that they will participate in exhibition matches to raise funds.

Also abroad

In France, bloggers and network influencers are also mobilizing. Ex-Miss France Camille Cerf, for example, who used her Twitter account to announce a donation to the Australian Red Cross . " If my notoriety allows to awaken the spirits, to set an example and to have an impact, so much the better " she writes.

I made a donation to help Australia, you too can contribute, even a small amount. https://t.co/svXqpj0NPb pic.twitter.com/O44GJ61ynX

CamilleCerf (@CamilleCerfOff) January 6, 2020

Beware, however, of cyber-scams! Always check to whom you are delivering your donations. An Australian site that offered to feed a kitty online was infected with spyware intended to steal the banking data of generous contributors.

While Australian firefighters announced on Monday that they have mastered the largest " mega fire " in the country, 120 fires are still active. NGOs remain on the alert, surviving animals are already suffering from " serious shortages of food and water ", their websites report.

►Read also: In Australia, “Politicians dragged us to the gates of hell”