Raging fires continue to spread among Australia, reducing animal population and destroying communities, September 2019 – January 2020. Support is needed from online donations along with prayers for the firefighters and those who have been injured.

The probability of wildfires starting in Australia increased during their dry weather and high temperatures. In 2019, Australia experienced one of its worst droughts in decades along with a heatwave of 113-120 degrees, which broke the record for the highest nationwide average temperature.

Because of Australia’s hot and dry weather, the fires are spreading quicker and become more difficult to put out. The damage of these fires in the past couple of months have gone into extreme measures pertaining to people and animals.

In the past four months, the fires have burned down 26 million acres of land, destroying 2,000 homes and taking 28 lives.

Along with the human destruction, an estimate of over 1 billion animals have died due to the fires and the smoke. The biggest animal loss is the koalas with over 8,000 koalas (1/3 of the koala population) dying because of their slow reactions.

The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital has saved over 90,000 of the animals involved in the bushfires. For over 16 years, the hospital has provided 24/7 wildlife service and rehabilitation. The following Instagram post is from Robert Irwin as he holds the 90,000th Australian animal rescued from the fires.

 

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This is patient number 90,000 that the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital has treated. ‘Ollie’ the orphaned platypus is receiving round the clock care until he can be released back to the wild. Over the last 16 years, the hospital has provided 24/7 wildlife rehabilitation and an incredible animal rescue service. We’re so proud of this world-class facility! Thank you for your support – with pressures from drought to bushfires, wildlife need our help now more than ever.

A post shared by Robert Irwin (@robertirwinphotography) on Jan 1, 2020 at 8:18pm PST

Students and adults who want to help with human and animal rehabilitation and treatment can donate money to The Australian Red Cross or The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital.

For more Feather photos, visit media, photos 2019-20.