| Bushfire Updates - Volunteers still hard at work |
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We are distributing $50,000 worth of food supplies for animals who have survived the fires but now starving in the destroyed habitats...
Donations to the Wildlife Victoria Bushfire Appeal can be made by clicking here, or post to Wildlife Victoria Bushfire Appeal 3/288 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC AUSTRALIA 3065.
Currently burning fires are gradually being brought under control, thanks to milder weather, rain, and the tireless efforts of CFA firefighters.
Executive Officer Sandy Fernee said that Wildlife Victoria trained volunteer rescuers were working in a large swathe of the fire grounds declared safe by the fire fighters. Sandy noted the fire fighters had done an incredible job, "we are so proud of them and their courage and tenacity under very difficult circumstances".
The wildlife rescuers continue in the largest search and rescue operation in Victoria's history.
Unfortunately we have had news that we have lost up to seven volunteer Wildlife Shelter Centres to these terrible fires - in most cases the volunteers have lost their homes as well as the animal shelters that they have built up tirelessly over many years. Our hearts go out to them at this time. We are doing whatever we can to support them during this very difficult time and will work with them following this horrible season with whatever they need, until they have rebuilt their shelters and their lives. Wildlife Victoria volunteers are scouting large areas of burnt bushland and have already rescued 100s of animals from the fire grounds. More animals are being found and saved every day, receiving emergency first aid followed by longer term treatment and care. We have even brought in expert search and rescue teams from NSW to help us out with the mammoth task on the ground. We are doing what we can to relieve the suffering of burnt animals quickly, setting up triage centres for emergency treatment and doing food drops for animals we can't find or reach.
We are supplying vets in the field with supplies they need to cover the wildlife (and some other animals), including the Kinglake vet clinic that was burnt down where we are providing support for medical supplies, veterinarian staff, and logistical support. We are supplying temporary cages, food for the animals, medical supplies for shelters whose equipment was burnt. We are supplying fire-proof safety gear for volunteer shelter operators to wear while out on their own properties, caring for wildlife that is coming to them. We are doing all we can to ensure the volunteers and the animals have everything they need to have the best possible chance of recovery and long term survival. We are about to undertake a comprehensive advertising campaign to give members of the public some strategic information about assessing if wildlife is injured or unwell. We hope that this will then add more 'eyes and ears' out there helping us find some of the animals out there that still need our help in recuperation. We can report that 'Koala Sam' is doing well, responding to treatment, and is at this stage likely to make a full recovery. Sam had many other 'family' members who came into care in Gippsland and we are supporting the team down there with medical supplies, veterinary support including supply of drugs to the local vets. We brought out another 17 koalas from another area of burnt bush (near Colac) and taken them into care. The koalas had been burnt a week earlier, and were severely dehydrated so our rescuers got there just in time. We have had a large number of koalas found in the Taggerty area in real need of care and they are now being looked after by a licensed wildlife carer. The team in Yea is doing a great job and Andrew, the local wildlife carer is busy giving them the best possible care. Just one koala in care costs around $400 per week (including burns creams, dressings, IV fluids, food, antibiotics and general care) and rehabilitation can take many months before the koala can be successfully released back to its natural habitat. The recuperation and recovery of the animal victims will take many months, the recovery of their habitats, food supplies and bushland will take years. Wildlife Victoria has launched a Bushfire Appeal to help pay for the animals' immediate and long term needs - bandages, treatment, medicines and food for injured wildlife, until they make a complete recovery and for emergency response activities to ensure our volunteers can best prepare for and respond to injured and starving wildlife affected by these and future bushfires and other emergencies.
Once all has been done for current bushfire victims, any remaining funds will be used to best prepare Wildlife Victoria volunteers for future emergencies and rescue and rehabilitation work to achieve Wildlife Victoria's mission of rescuing and caring for injured, orphaned and sck wildlife.
Your donation will make a huge difference to our capacity to get resources on the ground quickly and save as many animals' lives as possible.
Donations to the Wildlife Victoria Bushfire Appeal can be made by clicking here, or post to Wildlife Victoria Bushfire Appeal 3/288 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC AUSTRALIA 3065.
Wildlife Victoria are urging people to not call the emergency number unless they have injured wildlife.
Currently the phone is being inundated with calls from people wanting to help. Unfortunately we cannot take volunteers at this time unless volunteers already have training. We just cannot manage the training of volunteers at this time on top of the task we have at hand.
If people want to help then please donate to the appeal, this will ensure that we can support the people on the ground and easily purchase medical equipment and supplies for the animals. |
