Australia Fires Impact Over 500 Million Animals—Here's How To Help
January 10, 2020 2 min read
Professor Chris Dickman of the University of Sydney estimated that approximately 480 million animals have died across New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The estimate includes mammals, birds and reptiles but does not include insects, bats or frogs. In a statement to the University of Sydney, he goes on to say, "The true mortality is likely to be substantially higher than those estimated."
Image courtesy: Daniel Zuflucht
Here's what's happened as of Monday (January 6, 2020)...
- According to the Federal Environment Minister, Sussan Ley, almost a third of koalas in NSW may have been killed (and a third of their habitat destroyed) by the fires.
- Three of the 2,700 firefighters battling the blaze have been killed by the fire.
- Officials say 24 people have died nationwide during this fire season. Eighteen of the casualties are from NSW, three in Victoria, and three in South Australia. Two people are also missing in NSW as of Monday.
- There were approximately 136 fires burning across NSW—69 of which are not contained per the NSW Rural Fire Service. Over 1,300 houses have been destroyed and 8.9 million acres scorched in NSW.
- In total, more than 14.7 million acres have been burned across the country.
- The Australia Defense Force has called 3,000 army reserve forces and others with specialist capabilities to help fight the flames.
Photo courtesy: Valeriia Miller
Here's how you can help:
50% of proceeds from our January 8th Showroom Series: Facebook Live Auction are being donated to The Rescue Collective to help our furry friends in Australia! If you'd like to support as well, please follow the link below and locate the "Donate" link on their homepage.
The Rescue Collective
The Rescue Collective works together with like minded people, to support animal rescue, wildlife organizations and their volunteers across the East Coast of Australia.