PSA: How To Help Animals During Bushfire Season
There's a couple of things everyone should do.
Bushfire season is well and truly upon us, and this year looks worse than most.
There are no shortage of tragedies to come out of the recent bushfires, but news of an estimated 350 koalas being incinerated near Port Macquarie was particularly hard to stomach.
During extreme weather events wildlife are also struggling — but there are easy things you can do to help.
The Bureau of Meteorology expects rainfall to be below average for the rest of the year, while daytime temperatures are likely to be warmer than average across most of Australia.
These are just a few things you can do at home to help local wildlife through the extreme heat.
Don’t be barking mad, plan ahead for your animals this bushfire season. Some evacuation centres don’t allow animals so have an alternative for your pets. If you intend on moving your animals, do so earlier rather than later. If leaving them at home, keep them indoors if possible, pic.twitter.com/hgvAUJIK7z
— Qld Fire & Emergency (@QldFES) June 18, 2019
Leave water out
Fill up a shallow bowl and leave it in the shade, ideally near shrubs or trees. Make sure it is shallow so small birds do not become trapped and drown.
Keep dogs and cats inside
This will keep them out of the heat while allowing wildlife to access water safely.
Cover your pool
Animals trying to access water can drown in pools.
Plant trees and shrubs
This will create shade and shelter.
Learn to identify heat-stressed animals
Some signs include seeing nocturnal animals during the day, seeing tree-dwelling animals on the ground and seeing birds or animals displaying any loss of balance, collapse, confusion or panting.
Prepare an emergency kit in case you spot heat-stressed wildlife
Any emergency kit should include water, a blanket or towel, and a box.
If you find injured or distressed wildlife:
Wrap them loosely in a towel, put them in a cardboard box and place it in a cool, quiet place. While you should definitely offer them water it’s best not to give them any food. Do not wrap heat-stressed animals in wet towels or submerse them in water.
One thing that is never reported during bushfire season is the toll it takes on koalas.
These poor animals stand no chance of escape & are now facing extinction as politicians help push them to the brink of extinction by razing their habitat further.👇🏻🐨 https://t.co/UfsBNS8Agk— Kaz Rockchick (@KazRockchick) December 22, 2018
You should also contact one of the many wildlife rescue agencies across Australia. For more local agencies, search your postcode at www.fauna.org.au.
New South Wales:
WIRES — 1300 094 737
ACT:
RSPCA Wildlife – (02) 6287 8100
Victoria:
Wildlife Victoria – 1300 094 535
Queensland:
RSPCA QLD — 1300 264 625
Northern Territory:
Wildcare NT Darwin — 0408 885 341 or (08) 8988 6121
South Australia:
SA Fauna Rescue — (08) 8289 0896
Western Australia:
Wildcare — (08) 9474 9055
Tasmania:
Bonorong Sanctuary (03) 6268 1184