Australia’s bushfire crisis has taken its toll on its animal population, claiming what ecologists have estimated more than a billion mammals, birds, reptiles, insects and other species killed, according to Australia government sources.

Lake Havasu City Girl Scout Troop 2400 decided to do something to help the animal survivors of the devastating fires.

Girl Scout co-leader Teliza Washington helps Faye as she constructs her pouch project. Submitted photo

The Troop came together, working last week to crochet bird’s nests and pouches for the orphans.

The girls met Jan. 11 to sew Joey bags and pouch liners for the crocheted pouches. The girls are 8 to 9 years old and all they took this project seriously. They talked about how each is heartbroken over the animals losing their lives and habitats.

Girl Scouts work on a project last week to provide pouches and bird’s nests to survivors of the Australian bushfires. Submitted photo

Troop leaders Michelle Carnal and Teliza Washington helped the girls, along with sewing instructor Diane Slattery, constructing and crocheting the pouches.

“We are sending them this week and the distribution centers will send them to first responders because the bag with the strap that we mad are for the first responders when they find the kangaroos to put them in the pouches for the Joeys,” Carnal said.

Sadie models the finished product. The Girl Scouts came together last week to make pouches and bird’s nests for the surviving animals of the Australian bushfires. Submitted photo

Carnal reminded readers that when they purchase Girl Scout Cookies, they are supporting projects like this one. Girl Scouts will begin selling cookies in Lake Havasu City Jan. 20. This is the 12th community project the Troop has completed in the last five months.

The Troop members are Rexy, Sadie, Ava and Faye. The girls requested their last names not be published.

Feature Photo: Girl Scout Troop 2400 came together to make bird’s nests and joey pouches for surviving animals in the Australian bushfires. Back row: Diane Slattery, Michelle Carnal and Teliza Washington
Front row: Faye, Sadie, Rexy and Ava. Submitted photo