Conservationists believe hundreds of koalas may have died this week as a massive wildfire moved through Australia"s eastern coast. The fire started over the weekend in a forest in New South Wales and has since burnt down close to 5,000 acres, according to the Associated Press. 

Two-thirds of the area ravaged by flames was considered a koala "hot spot," where a high number of koalas breed, the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital said. Rescuers hope to begin searching the habitat for survivors on Thursday, when the area is safe.
"If we look at a 50% survival rate, that"s around about 350 koalas and that"s absolutely devastating," hospital President Sue Ashton told AP of the death toll.