In December 2019 the sky went black in many parts of Australia. In the following weeks, unprecedented bushfires killed 33 people, destroyed thousands of homes, and decimated approximately three billion animals and 24 million hectares of habitat.
Reflecting back over the five years since, we now know much more about what works and what doesn’t when it comes to saving animals and people, and the places they call home.
1. The importance of proactive preparedness.
In the wake of the fires it was apparent that many people were not prepared for such a disaster, including the wildlife sector. We learnt that bushfire preparedness and response cannot be achieved by one individual or sole group, which is why we now serve as a conduit between rescue groups and government agencies across the country. We help build capacity by facilitating free emergency evacuation workshops for wildlife rescue groups and carers, and create stronger networks to share learnings and resources. When we all work together we can strengthen a well-coordinated emergency response plan for wildlife across multiple levels of government, in regional networks, and priority regions.
2. The value of individual animals.
Individual animals matter in conservation. When populations (let alone species) approach a tipping point, as was the case with koalas after the fires, saving one animal can mean the difference between existence and extinction. We also believe every single animal has sentience, dignity, and intrinsic worth and as such is worth rescuing. Nature is inter-connected; if animals thrive, so do we.
3. A holistic approach is vital.
Rescuing wild animals from disasters such as Black Summer is one thing, but what is the point of supporting them through extensive rehabilitation programs, when there is nowhere to release them where we know they will thrive? The value of a truly integrated approach became more apparent after the fires; one that incorporates rescue, rehabilitation, release, securing habitat, and subsequent monitoring and research of both animals and habitats. A vital part of this cycle is empowering the local community to increase their resilience to climate change effects. To that end, over the last five years IFAW has helped plant almost 100,000 trees, creating more than 60 hectares of habitat with 31 partners across 21 communities. In addition to supporting several in-depth research projects into how flora and fauna recover from fire.
4. Protecting our flora and fauna requires a joint effort.
Australia’s unique nature contributes significantly to our national economy; some estimates place half our GDP as reliant on nature-related activities. Yet, when it comes to protecting our native animals and the places they call home, charities and volunteer organisations bear much of the workload, relying on donations which are drying up as the memory of Black Summer fades. As part of Places You Love, a national alliance of conservation organisations, we continue to lobby the Australian government to pass stronger nature laws. Across many states, we are helping build specialist veterinary capacity to treat injured wildlife, while also providing critical infrastructure, equipment and supplies – the lack of which was sorely evident during the fires. Through the notion of ‘caring for carers’, we help volunteer wildlife carers take better care of themselves and their animals. Government support for these activities is thin on the ground, despite the value of the sector’s contributions to protecting the species that define our country.
5. We can’t ignore climate change warnings.
Black Summer thrust Australia into the global spotlight as a dire example of what can happen when climate change warnings are ignored. Despite their intensity, we still haven’t done enough to heed those warnings. We need to embrace that nature is part of the solution. We’re still lobbying government to save old-growth forests that absorb carbon and are more fire-resistant than plantations. We’re still fighting to protect animals who improve the environment through foraging and fertilising. By saving nature, we can help save ourselves.
Alongside the losses of Black Summer we gained valuable insights and the opportunity to collaborate with an expanded network of people committed to the environment, including the traditional custodians of our land. We still face huge challenges, here and globally, but we can all contribute to solutions with actions as simple as volunteering for a tree planting event or signing petitions to protect nature, and work together for the health of our country and planet.
By International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)
Top Image: Noosa National Park Sunshine Coast Queensland. Peregian Bushfires, Bear Koala Detection Dog, First Deployment
November 2024