To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Singapore’s independence, Australia is loaning the city state four adorable (and highly vicious) koalas. While the drop bears will be flying in crates, Qantas staged a photo shoot in which the koalas enjoyed first class treatment on an airplane. And the little monsters couldn’t…

Images have surfaced of a badly burned koala receiving treatment in Australia, in case you needed a reminder that the human race is a viral infection doing its best to sap the earth of everything good and beautiful:

If you don't let the baby do it itself than it will never learn. Wait, what am I talking about? This is adorable. Please keep helping each other out forever and ever.

Josh Siegel brings you animal art every Monday. Add your own requests in the comments, and maybe Josh will draw an animal for you.

[San Diego Zoo, January 3. Images via Zooborns]

News from the Australian fires: Winds are fanning the flames; survivors are outraged at arsonsists, more on Sam the koala; and (sigh) melted turtle shells and scorched kangaroo feet. [CNN, News.com.au, Herald Sun, AP]

If you were in the thread about the Australian fires yesterday, you saw the koala with burned paws. Good news: Sam was picked up by wildlife officials and she is okay. [AP]

Marin Cilic of Croatia pays a visit to Melbourne Zoo on day seven of the Australian Open 2008 on January 20, 2008 in Melbourne, Australia.