As I sit here and write this blog on January 8, 2020, it has now been estimated that over 1 BILLION mammals, birds, and reptiles have perished from the deadly bushfires in Australia. (Please note, this figure does not include amphibians or insects.) Nearly 20 million acres have burned and at least 25 people have been confirmed dead.
Many of you (including myself) have questions. What started the fires? How can we help? Which organizations should we donate to? I feel so helpless!!!!
Wildlife Expert Brandon Gifford from the Australian Reptile Park with a Death Adder.
I enlisted the help from my Aussie friend and past guest on my “Animal to the MAX” Podcast, Brandon Gifford from the Australian Reptile Park. He’s experiencing the bushfires first hand. Brandon is also super passionate about Australian wildlife and speaking up for those without voices.
So what caused the deadly fires? Extreme heat, dry conditions, and prolonged droughts. 2019 was the warmest year to date in Australia. Global warming (yes, this is a thing) is also increasing the temperatures only fueling (pun-intended) the fires. Recent reports of people purposely starting fires is also surfacing and according to Brandon, not unheard of.
Viral videos and photos of the local wildlife, koalas in particular, have circulated the web.
Many of these images are completely heartbreaking.
Koalas and kangaroos aren’t the only animals being effected by these deadly fires. Reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, birds, and insects have all taken a toll. A lot times these animals are overlooked and forgotten. I wanted to make sure we covered them in our interview and we did!
Many of you have personally reached out to me asking me how they can help. Donations are what’s needed. Here are some organizations Brandon mentioned during our interview. Please visit their links for more.
You can help by donating to these organizations:
WIRES Australian Wildlife Rescue
Australia’s largest wildlife rescue.
https://www.wires.org.au/?fbclid=IwAR33YyS8OeYDhO_P-9Ctb-i1c281MEdE4adEcL-UK2HOKB2GE3rmxoizT3w
World Wildlife Fund
You can help WWF-Australia get emergency funds to care for our injured wildlife, and when the fires clear, help restore the forest homes our koalas and other animals have lost. https://www.wwf.org.au/get-involved/bushfire-emergency#gs.pmya87
Koala Hospital
Currently needing donations for injured Koalas.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-thirsty-koalas-devastated-by-recent-fires
Water Stations for wildlife
Bindi Irwin recently shared this Go Fund Me on her Instagram page.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/wuzrz-water-for-wildlife?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1
NSW Rural Fire Service
The firefighters working on the frontline of these deadly fires. Always accepting donations.
https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/volunteer/support-your-local-brigade
Aussie Ark
https://www.aussieark.org.au/aussiewildlifebushfireappeal/
Recently launched the Aussie Bushfire Appeal. Funds raised will go directly to communities worst affected, wildlife worst affected, Aussie Ark critical refuge habitats, along with bush fire prevention, rehabilitation and species/habitat recovery.
Wildlife Warriors
The Irwin’s and the Australia Zoo Hospital have rescued over 90,000 animals and counting.
https://wildlifewarriors.org.au/donate/
For more info, I HIGHLY recommend listening to Brandon’s full interview: https://corbinmaxey.com/podcast-1/episode-103-australia-on-fire
The interview is also available by searching “Animals to the Max Podcast” on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, and Stitcher.
Follow Brandon Gifford on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandon_troy_gifford__/?hl=en
Watch Brandon on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_JihUTOvUt0WOXZeR8PKAA
Follow Corbin Maxey
Website: https://corbinmaxey.com
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