A badly burnt joey is on the road to recovery after being severely injured in the Baldivis fires last month.
Sparked by a wheel falling off a boat trailer, the fires swept across nearby paddocks and rural properties for days in early January.
The joey was found with terrible burns to his tail, front and back legs and paws and taken to Baldivis Vets for urgent care.
Smoky, as he has been aptly named, has since been recovering at Mandurah Just Joey Marsupial Care.
Co-founder Dot Terry said Smoky was in a bad way when he came into their care just a few weeks ago.
"When we first got him, he just smelt so strongly of smoke plus that singeing of the flesh smell too," she said.
"His front paws were burnt and all the skin came off.
"Mum was burnt, she was gone, so he probably hopped out of the pouch and unfortunately straight into the hot coals."
Smoky's carer, Trish Dixon, said the little six-month-old's cheeky personality was starting to shine through.
"He's so impatient but gorgeous. He's put on weight and doing well - he looks good now," she said.
"His feet are starting to come good, just his legs are bandaged up now.
"He may lose a couple of toes... he'll lose the tip of his tail too but he can manage without them."
Photos of badly burnt native animals have been breaking hearts around the world during Australia's recent bushfire crisis.
Experts have estimated more than one billion animals have been lost during the disaster.
Ms Terry said the extended bushfire season had been emotionally draining for volunteers and workers at wildlife rescue centres around Australia.
"Every time it comes on the news now, I burst into tears so I've had to stop watching it," she said.
"It's heart breaking, just dreadful."
Ms Terry said she had high hopes for Smoky, who was charming over everyone with his captivating big eyes.
"I think he's going to come around quite well," she said.
"He has ongoing weekly visits to the vet and we do dressings in between.
"The biggest threat is stress myopathy from the pain and discomfort of the burns. We've been worried about that, but so far he's doing very well."
Mandurah Just Joey Marsupial Care currently care for 18 young marsupials.
The registered charity relies on donations from the community and businesses.
If you see a young marsupial in danger please call Ms Terry on 0409 734 125 (Mandurah) or Ms Dixon on 0407 251 140 (Rockingham-Baldivis).
For more information about the service, or to make a donation, visit their Facebook page.
