Sam (koala)

Sam (2005–2007 – 6 August 2009), also known as Sam the Koala, was a female koala from the forests of Mirboo North, Victoria, Australia. She became publicly known when a video and photographs of her being rescued by a firefighter were distributed on the internet and through the media during the aftermath of the Black Saturday bushfires.

Sam
Sam on the cover of the Bushfire Aid CD
SpeciesKoala
SexFemale
Born2005–2007
Victoria, Australia
Died6 August 2009 (aged 1–4)
Morwell, Victoria, Australia
Known forBackburning survivor, subsequently linked to Black Saturday bushfires
Sam the Koala

Initial encounter

A mobile phone video of the event,[1] which attracted just over 1.4 million views on YouTube,[2] shows firefighter David Tree approaching Sam who initially attempts to flee but then stops—Tree later speculated that the koala had been thinking "I can't run, I'm weak and sore, put me out of my misery"—and Tree calls for water.[1] Sam is then shown drinking from a bottle he is holding for her.[3] She is also seen allowing herself to be patted, and holding her paw on his hand. Sam became a symbol of hope.[4] It was initially thought that Sam had been rescued by Tree following the February 2009 Victorian bushfires; however, the event actually occurred in the week before the worst of the fires, during backburning operations.[5] Tree and his crew came across Sam when they were blacking out (making sure that a contained or checked fire does not restart)[6][7] after the fires had gone through. The video was recorded by Tree and other firefighters; it had been intended for Tree's daughter.[5]

Treatment

Sam was subsequently taken to the Southern Ash Wildlife Centre in Rawson[8] where she was found to be suffering from second-degree burns to her paws and given painkillers.[1][9] Caretakers at the shelter expected that it would take her about eight months to recover.[1][10] Based on the condition of her teeth, the shelter manager estimated her to be between two and four years old.[1] She was placed with a male koala named Bob,[10] who had been rescued from another of the bushfire areas two days earlier and was suffering from third-degree burns.[1]

Subsequent events
Sam's remains exhibited at Melbourne Museum

Sam's story was featured in media outlets worldwide, including The New York Times and CNN.[11] Gossip site TMZ.com mocked the rescue, calling Sam "pampered";[12] this drew significant reader backlash and attention. TMZ later apologised to Sam.[13]

Sam was euthanized on 6 August 2009. The decision was made after exploratory surgery on her urinary bladder and uterus to evaluate the possible removal of cysts caused by urogenital chlamydiosis. As her condition was inoperable the veterinarian stated that the decision was made to euthanise to prevent her suffering.[14] Sam's remains were moved to Melbourne Museum where they were preserved as a symbol of the bushfires.[15][16][17]

The Giant Koala (one of Australia's big things) was renamed Sam to raise awareness of koalas.[18]

An image of Sam with David Tree was used as cover art on a fundraising CD, Bushfire Aid, to which 35 national and international artists donated songs. All proceeds were donated to the Salvation Army Bushfire Appeal.[19] A total of A$300,000 was also raised for the Country Fire Authority and other charities through selling photographs of Sam's rescue.[20]

Trademark dispute

On 20 February 2009 and 13 March 2009, an application was made to register the words "Sam the Koala" as a trademark in Class 30 (for chocolates) and as a trademark in Class 16 (for colouring-in books).[21][22] The applications were approved for Acceptance of Registration of a Trademark on 25 June 2009 and 16 July 2009 respectively. An opposition notice was lodged by the Victorian state Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) in September 2009 and that opposition outcome is still pending a final decision by IPAustralia. Media published the trademark applications which led to a dispute called an 'Opposition Notice'.[23]

On 27 July 2010 the DSE applied for a new trademark TM1374402, Sam The Koala, in Class 32 (beverages), Class 33 (alcoholic beverages), Class 41 (education, training and cultural activities), Class 43 (services for providing food and drink), and Class 44 (veterinary services and hygienic and beauty care for animals);[24] however, DSE Application TM1374402 was issued an "Adverse Report1"[25] on 27 August 2010.

References
  1. Goldsmith, Belinda (11 February 2009). "Koala love story wins hearts after deadly Aussie fires". Reuters. Archived from the original on 13 February 2009. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  2. "Australian bush fires: Thirsty koala becomes Australia's wild fire star". The Daily Telegraph. London. 11 February 2009. Retrieved 11 February 2009.
  3. "Burned koala accepts a hand". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. 11 February 2009. Retrieved 11 February 2009.
  4. "Sam the koala, a symbol of hope, rises from Australia's ashes". The Irish Times. 11 February 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2009.
  5. Vincent, Prue (12 February 2009). "'Koala Man' footage not what it seems". The Age. Melbourne. Archived from the original on 15 February 2009. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  6. "Beechworth Area Fire Community Update Newsletter – Edition 6, 9 a.m." (PDF). 15 February 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 February 2009. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  7. "Bushfire prevention". Glenhaven Rural Fire Brigade. 19 May 2007. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  8. "Koala Sam meets her saviour". Gold Coast. 2009. Archived from the original on 15 February 2009. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  9. Gelineau, Kristen (12 February 2008). "Koala saved from Australia's wildfires doing well". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 15 February 2009. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  10. Gelineau, Kristen (11 February 2009). "Turtle's shell melts in Australia's fires". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 15 February 2009. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  11. "Say it for Sam the koala". Herald Sun. 11 February 2009. Archived from the original on 14 February 2009. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  12. "Victoria bushfires victim Sam the koala earns US apology". Perth Now. The Sunday Times. 11 February 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2010.
  13. "Our Apologies to Sam, Australia". TMZ.com. 11 February 2009. Archived from the original on 12 February 2009. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  14. "Sam the Koala dies". Herald Sun. News Limited. 6 August 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2010.
  15. Cuthbertson, Kathleen (8 August 2009). "Sam the Koala to be preserved like Phar Lap at Melbourne Museum". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 12 August 2009. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  16. Magee, Antonia; Harris, Amelia (14 January 2010), "Dead bushfire Koala Sam stuffed for museum", Herald Sun.
  17. Carland, Rebecca (2017). "Sam the Koala". Museums Victoria Collections. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  18. DRYBURGH, MICHELLE (9 August 2009). "Giant Koala to be renamed in honour of Sam the koala". The Wimmera Mail-Times.
  19. "Bushfire Aid: Artists for the Bushfire Appeal". Bushfire Aid. 12 February 2009. Archived from the original on 20 February 2009. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  20. McNaught, Megan (18 February 2009). "Sam the Koala raises $300,000 for CFA". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 18 February 2009. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  21. "TM application for Sam the Koala". IP Australia. 20 February 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  22. "Aussie publicists applies to make chocolate of Sam the Koala". 3news.co.nz. 11 August 2009. Retrieved 27 October 2010.
  23. "Aussie Opposition History". IP Australia. 15 September 2009. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  24. "Sam the Koala". IP Australia. 27 July 2010. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
  25. "Adverse Report1". IP Australia. 27 August 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2010.

Further reading
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