113 Endangered Species: The Animals Who Need Australia's Emergency Rescue

Koalas, Wallabies and various types of birds, reptiles and fish have been severely damaged by the huge wildfires that have destroyed large parts of their habitat. The positive news - no species is extinct

113 Endangered Species: The Animals Who Need Australia's Emergency Rescue

Australia has identified 113 species that need "urgent help" following the huge fires that have occurred in recent months. However, in a positive finding, no extinct species were found. Conversely, almost all species on the list have lost at least 30% of their habitat. Among the species are koalas, wolves, and species of birds, frogs and fish. Researchers estimate that up to a billion animals perished in wildfires, which contained vast areas of pasture and pasture south of the continent and east during the hot summer.

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Koala evacuated from fires on Kangaroo Island last month (Photo: Reuters)

Rescue koala from burning forest near Cape Borda on Kangaroo Island, Australia, January 7, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

The temporary list, released yesterday, was compiled by a team of under threat conservation experts and includes those who need the most urgent conservation action. The expert composition found that some species face "immediate extinction" due to the destruction of their habitats, such as the Blue Mountain Hummingbird, and Donart, a small pocket predator that lives on the kangaroo island. Others, like koalas and smoked mice, have lost "significant" parts of their habitat, so "urgent action" is needed to support their rehabilitation.

Endangered species following the fires (Photo: -, official website)

While many were endangered even before the fires, the condition of the others was considered safe. Environment Minister Susan Leigh said the next update of the list would also include plants and arthropods. She said the real extent of the destruction was limited due to the continued fires at several sites and the scorched earth left after the fires. "While there have been some encouraging cases where threatened animals have been spotted in burned places, it is still not safe to enter many areas to give more detailed assessments on the ground," she said.

Last month, the Australian government allocated $ 50 million to Australians for the rehabilitation of their animals and sheds.