Amazing Rescuers Save Hundreds of Kangaroos, Echidnas, and Other Animals Impacted By Bushfires

In late December of 2015, a man-lit bushfire consumed 5,000 hectares of land — that’s 12,355 acres — in the southern Australian town of Scotsburn, Victoria. Not only did the massive bushfire consume many cars and homes, but it also left thousands of animals, wild and domestic, seriously injured. Once the bushfires were under control, and with the blessing of the Department of Environment, Land, Waters, and Planning, rescue volunteers of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) sprung into action. Along with treating the injured, one of the first steps that rescuers took was to lay out hay and sweet potatoes to feed the many animals who had lost both their food and their homes.

Eastern grey kangaroos, wallabies, and echidnas are just a few of the helpless victims of the bushfires.

Hundreds of animals had already perished because of the fires from both injuries and starvation. Without the selflessness of these rescuers, many of the animals would not have survived.

IFAW states that “We were touched by the overwhelming positive response and assistance from the local community, many of whom had suffered losses themselves.”

They continued to explain how dedicated volunteers were to saving the native wildlife: “We met one man who had lost everything apart from his three cats and was still concerned about the wildlife being fed.”

IFAW was able to successfully rescue so many animals thanks to the outpouring of Support from volunteers.  They’re now happy to report that animals are slowly beginning to return to their homes. In time, we hope that the land will be able to recover so that the native wildlife will be able to thrive there once again.

You can read the full story and learn more about all of the amazing work that IFAW does by visiting their official website. Rescue work isn’t easy, but the success in saving the life of an animal in need is well worth the physical and emotional strain.

All image source: International Fund For Animal Welfare/Flickr