Matthew McConaughey thanks Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park for work during bushfires

A Hollywood A-lister has given thanks to a Kangaroo Island couple who helped more than 600 koalas during the bushfires.

After a horrific bushfire season landed more than 600 koalas in their care, Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park was surprised to get a video call from a big name celebrity.

Park owners Dana and Sam Mitchell were contacted by Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey, who thanked the pair for their work with injured koalas during the summer bushfires.

What started as a makeshift hospital at the park with seven koala patients quickly turned into a major operation as the fires continued to burn.

“We’ve always housed koalas and rescued animals throughout the years but it was only ever one or two and we’d never dealt with burn victims before,” Sam, 31, said.

Matthew McConaughey in a still from the video call. Picture: Supplied

Sam and Dana from Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park during their call with actor Matthew McConaughey. Picture: Supplied

“They just kept on coming, the fires kept on burning and within a few days the first vet teams arrived.

“We went through having koalas in the house, in the cafe and in temporary enclosures or even in washing baskets … and now we’ve got a fully operational wildlife hospital.”

Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park are still caring for 22 orphaned koala joeys from the January fires and are hoping to release them back into the wild soon.

As part of his role as creative director for bourbon maker Wild Turkey McConaughey launched the Wild Turkey With Thanks platform, an initiative designed to protect and preserve the wilderness.

“Australians have a very quick reaction to tough situations and crises that (says), ‘All right, mate, what are we gonna do? Let’s take action,’” McConaughey said via a video call from his California home.

“To you Dana and Sam local legends for helping regrow the spirit of the wild for that me and Wild Turkey say thank you.”

Sam and Dana from Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park during their call with actor Matthew McConaughey. Picture: Supplied

Dana, 29, said it was a shock to receive recognition from such a well-known celebrity.

“It was really amazing to see someone with such a big name recognising someone like us and to have seen the work that’s been happening,” she said.

“We saw about 600 koalas come through and 150 other animals so it was a crazy time and to have that go around the world and have someone who genuinely cares about wildlife and the environment was pretty special.”

A percentage of proceeds from Wild Turkey’s cabin, The Reserve, and Wild Turkey bottles sold in November and December will be donated to the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife in support of bushfire regeneration.