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Saving Australia's Wildlife

1/6/2020

8 Comments

 
Picture
Kookaburra overlooking land ravaged by fire. Photo courtesy of WIRES (NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service Inc.)
The images on the news and social media have been relentless: kangaroos fleeing the bush fires, badly burned koalas, cockatoos falling from the skies, and countless orphaned joeys.

In a bush fire season that started unimaginably early, the devastation has been tremendous. BBC News provides a good summary of how these fires have unfolded so far. The losses are staggering.

Scientists from the University of Sydney estimated that 480 million animals have been killed in New South Wales alone since September. These animals were killed directly by the fire or later due to loss of food and habitat. Thirty percent of koala habitat is gone. And the fires are likely to keep burning for months more.

Many people know about koalas and kangaroos, but countless other species are suffering, including lesser-known animals like the dunnart, long-nosed potoroo, and the antechinus.

Even before these fires, Australia’s track record for preserving animal species was grim. Australian Geographic’s comprehensive study found that 100 species of animals and plants have become extinct in Australia since European settlers arrived in 1788, the worst record on any continent over the same time period.

Wrapping my mind around all this loss can be depressing, immobilizing. But I am inspired by the Australians around me. They aren’t giving up on their wildlife. What they do best as individuals is band together for the sake of the greater good and the community. And, like the volunteer firefighters here, they never ever stop.

Many, many efforts to help animals have been launched across the country. Below are just a few in my local area that I’ve been aware of or involved in.

Most inspiring and rewarding to me has been Water Our Wildlife Canberra, a local effort encouraging people to just start putting out water for the wildlife around us—whether it’s a small backyard basin of water for the birds and bees or a wading pool for kangaroos in the neighborhood nature reserve—every little bit makes a difference. Interest and participation are both growing by leaps and bounds daily. There is even talk of turning it into a national program.
Picture
Kangaroos having a drink of water. Photo courtesy of Water Our Wildlife Canberra.
A group called Sydney Dingo Rescue was caring for 40 dingoes when it was forced to evacuate to a temporary location north of Canberra two weeks ago. They were running low on supplies, so local charities (including the ACT Pet Crisis Fund, which I work with) have pitched in to provide newspapers for bedding, materials for temporary enclosures, squeaky dog toys, dog food, and chews.
​
The Animal Rescue Craft Guild has put the call out for sewers, knitters, and crocheters to make wraps, nests, joey pouches. and blankets for injured bats, birds, orphaned marsupials, and other wildlife. 
Picture
Pouch made for orphaned joey. Photo courtesy of the Animal Rescue Craft Guild.
The Rescue Collective collects supplies for animal carers, and people have donated everything from formula for marsupial babies to animal first aid materials to jerrycans of water and plastic basins.
Picture
Photo courtesy of the Rescue Collective.
​If you’re wondering how you can help Australia, here are some opportunities to make a difference. 
8 Comments
Diane
1/6/2020 02:44:50 am

Wow, the complexity of bush fires is astronomical. Thanks for another great summary blog and sources. Stay strong.

Reply
Rose
1/7/2020 12:37:34 am

Thanks, Diane. I really appreciate your support. Thanks as always for reading and commenting.

Reply
Ed Reniker
1/6/2020 04:44:19 am

Even though we hear nightly some aspect of the fire, I don't think most of America has a vision for the scale. The people are admired for their efforts on the part of preserving and rescuing wildlife. We talked about it with a young lady from Boston at a neighborhood get together last Saturday night. She was amazed at the lengths people went to when rescuing koalas.

Reply
Rose
1/7/2020 12:39:44 am

The scale is so huge that it's hard for us to wrap our minds around it too, and we're right here. The firefighters and ordinary people have done an amazing job rescuing animals. Thanks for reading and commenting.

Reply
Bob
1/6/2020 10:59:15 am

So sorry to hear about the devastating fire that is causing so much damage and loss of life to humans and animals. I can hope and pray that they can ring the fire under control and no more loss of life, human or animal, occurs. Our prayers are with you down there. Hope you are safe.

Reply
Rose
1/7/2020 12:41:35 am

Hello, Bob. The prediction is that the fires will continue burning for months. I am hoping that rain comes sooner rather than later. We are safe for now. The smoke has been the biggest problem. We have fires burning to our south, east, and west, so our evacuation plan is in place, and we are ready to go if need be. Your thoughts and prayers are much appreciated -- thanks for reading and commenting!

Reply
Linda Baker
1/6/2020 01:30:45 pm

The devastation for Australians is heartbreaking! My prayers are with you and i am specifically praying for some resolution/help to get these fires under control for you folks! thank you for sharing the encouraging work being done for the poor animals!

Reply
Rose
1/7/2020 12:42:54 am

Thank you, Linda. I really appreciate your thoughts and prayers -- we need all the help we can get! Thank you for reading and commenting.

Reply



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    Rose Ciccarelli is an American writer and editor living in Canberra, Australia.

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