MELBOURNE—Humane World for Animals Australia (formerly called Humane Society International Australia) has deployed a team to the state of Victoria to assist local wildlife carers inundated with animals following heatwaves and bushfires in recent weeks. Victoria has declared a State of Emergency with multiple bushfires burning out of control, compounding an already critical situation for wildlife following a mass starvation event which was further exacerbated by extreme heatwaves. Melbourne recorded temperatures among the highest globally, triggering a severe flying fox heat stress event.
The team is providing support primarily to Red Box Wildlife Shelter based in Elphinstone and Animal Abbey based in Faraday, both of which have seen a massive influx of animals suffering from heat stress and burns. At one impacted shelter, Humane World for Animals helped move and care for flying foxes—a bat species—and wombats while teams worked to reduce fire risk. Our team is supporting the local carers with bottle feeding orphans, cleaning cages, as well as helping to rescue and transport kangaroos with burned paws and tails and dehydration for treatment.
Humane World for Animals Australia’s programs director, Evan Quartermain who is part of the disaster response team, said: “Wildlife carers throughout the state are making an heroic effort to care for the staggering number of animals impacted by the fires, many working literally around the clock to treat animals in need at the moment. In addition to the countless animals suffering burns, smoke inhalation and dehydration, there are thousands of flying foxes who have been dropping from trees in colonies impacted by the recent heatwaves. As food sources become scarce and wildlife become weaker, we could sadly see a rise in both wildlife casualties and deaths. Many wildlife carers were already at capacity, yet they are still on the front lines to help animals suffering during these terrible events—they really do need all the help they can get and we are proud to be supporting them and the animals who need our attention.”
Humane World for Animals responds to disasters around the world to assist animals and communities in need. Our team works to reduce animal suffering and foster community resilience before, during and after disasters. For example, we’ve stepped in to help animals affected by volcanic eruptions in Guatemala; earthquakes in Nepal, Ecuador, Mexico and Türkiye; deadly storms in India, Haiti, Costa Rica, South Africa, Mozambique and the United States; and wildfires in Australia and Chile; as well as helping refugees and their pets fleeing the war in Ukraine. We also invest in long-term preparedness, mitigation and recovery to better empower communities before disasters strike.
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