Koala mittens and joey pouches: Australian bushfires spark global knitting frenzy

Various completed animal pouches for animals affected by Australia bushfires hang on clothing racks in this January 4, 2020 image obtained via social media, in Regents Park, Queensland, Australia. KIM SIMEON via REUTERS

(Reuters) - Knitting needles are clicking furiously around the world to create hundreds of protective pouches and blankets for native wildlife made homeless by Australian wildfires that have razed large swathes of bushland.

The Animal Rescue Craft Guild said on Monday it has been deluged with offers of help after putting out a call for volunteers to make bat wraps, joey pouches, birds nests, possum boxes, koala mittens and other snuggly homes for marsupials.