Koala's life saved by mouth-to-mouth resuscitation

Australian firefighters have saved a koala's life by giving it mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

The koala, which firefighters nicknamed "Sir Chompsalot," was trapped in a tree during bush fires on Thursday on the outskirts of Melbourne.

As emergency workers tried to use a ladder to rescue the koala, the animal lost consciousness and fell from the tree.

Luckily, animal welfare workers managed to catch the koala in a blanket, and after thinking it was dead, gave it mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, oxygen and chest compression.

Country Fire Authority (CFA) captain Sean Curtin told local radio the effort from fire fighters saved the koala's life.

"We believe it died in the tree, just when we were trying to rescue it. Then it fell out of the tree and the members caught it in a blanket.

"Wildlife Victoria performed mouth-to-mouth and compression and gave it some oxygen therapy as well," he said.

Sir Chompsalot is now recovering in a Melbourne animal hospital.