Fires in Australia have killed at least 29 people, burned more than 15.6 million acres and destroyed more than 1,400 people since September.
A koala affected by the recent wildfires is released on the local mount after being cured at Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams / Getty Images Source: Getty Images
Nearly 3 billion animals, mammals, reptiles, birds and frogs were killed or forced from their homes amid Australia’s fatal black summer of wildfires in 2019-20.
According to a report by the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF), the number is approximately 3 times the initial estimate of 1.25 billion animals.
The first global research, entitled Australia’s Bushfires 2019-2020: The Wildlife Toll, conducted by ten scientists from the University of Sydney, the University of New South Wales, the University of Newcastle, Charles Sturt University and BirdLife Australia.
WWF-Australia CEO Dermot O’Gorman said the effects mean wildfires are classified as “one of the worst herbal mistakes in fashion history.”
“The provisional effects are shocking. It’s hard to think of any occasion in the world, of human memory, that killed or displaced so many animals,” he said.
Professor Chris Dickman, who oversaw the project’s studies, said that if the studies are still on stage, the overall figure will change.
“When you think of about 3 billion local animals on the way to fires, it’s probably huge, it’s a hard number to understand,” he says.
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Animal fires have affected up to 3 billion animals. Picture: WWF Source: Supplied
Signs of regrowth are observed in natives affected by forest fires and blue rubber forestry west of Parndana, Australia. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams / Getty Images Source: Getty Images
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The report says 143 million mammals, 2.46 billion reptiles, 180 million birds and millions of frogs have been killed or displaced by fires.
Professor Dickman said it’s transparent how many died, but for many animals, his customers were “probably as good” because of the lack of food and shelter.
The assignment leader, Dr. Lily Van Eeden, said the team had tested a chimney effect in an area of 11.46 million hectares.
“We believe that no continental assessment has ever been carried out on the number of animals that are likely to be affected in Australia or anywhere else in the world. Other countries may use these studies to improve understanding of the effects of wildfires everywhere,” Dr. Van Eeden said.
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Assets affected by a forest fire were noticed in Karatta on 25 February 2020 on Kangaroo Island. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams / Getty Images Source: Getty Images
WWF chief O’Gorman said the studies were published in time for the government to review in a review of the work on the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC).
“After such a high cost to Australian wildlife, strengthening this law has never been more important. WWF will continue to advocate for policies that gain advantages for others and nature, repair what has been lost, and rebuild a more resilient Australia.” Mr. O’Gorman said.
The report calls for filling gaps in wisdom and fire responses, helping cell species escape and identifying critical habitats for endangered species.
The full report is expected to be in August 2020.