Aussie Wildlife Recovery & Emergency Preparedness

You are a very valued member of the WIRES community and we are thinking of you at this difficult time and hope you, your family and loved ones are keeping safe and well. 

As always WIRES continues to prioritise the rescue and care of wildlife in distress. During the long and catastrophic bushfire season, we were immersed in the crisis and in the provision of immediate rescue and care for the many animals suffering burns and habitat loss. 

Nellie and Declan - Orphaned Wombat Joeys

Even as the bushfires raged and our volunteers began search and rescue activities there were already many animals in our care and possibly none more endearing than Nellie and Declan, two orphaned wombat joeys.

Nellie and Declan were in care with WIRES volunteers before the fires hit the area. When the fire began threatening local communities they had to be evacuated as the fires approached their carers homes.

Nellie spent one very long night snuggled in her pouch on the beach, along with her carer and hundreds of frightened local residents, as the fire approached.

Both Nellie and Declan came through unscathed and we are pleased to report they are still doing well and growing up fast. 
Learn more about wombats.

Bushfire Relief and Recovery Update

Thanks to you we have spent recent months getting much-needed emergency funds out to, not only our own 3,000 WIRES volunteers, but also to a further 6,247 wildlife carers. WIRES has provided funding for 240 projects through our Emergency Relief Grants to rescue groups and licensed carers across Australia. Being in a position to be able to help wildlife and volunteer carers in all Australian states and territories has been a huge privilege.

As you can see in the graph below these grants have funded food, water, vital rescue and care equipment, medical costs and also enabled the vital rebuilding of enclosures lost in the fires. This response has allowed many dedicated rescue groups to focus on animal rescue and care at a time when it was most needed.

In addition to continuing to rescue wildlife, WIRES is now also working with a wide range of groups to ensure the best possible longer-term outcomes for our wildlife. You have made it possible for us to collaborate and provide funding for partners like; the Animal Rescue Collective (ARC) who are providing a constant supply of food and goods to wildlife carers, with Landcare Australia who have expertise in habitat and land recovery and with veterinary clinical teams to provide the best treatment advice to wildlife volunteers for the wildlife in their care. 

These projects would not have been possible without your support and will ensure Australia's native species are given the best chance to thrive in a post-bushfire world. We look forward to sharing more details about these initiatives with you.

Thank you for your ongoing support and for being a valued member of the WIRES community.

If you have not found us already we would love you to register to receive our monthly enews for more inspiring wildlife stories.

Yours sincerely,
Dianne Browning
WIRES Digital Communications Manager

Across Nov/Dec/Jan our volunteers attended over 10,000 rescues. Thanks to your support we are able to respond to assist wildlife in need. 

The bushfire emergency in Australia has taken a tragic toll on wildlife and the global community acted significantly to help wildlife in January donating millions of dollars to WIRES to help native animals.

WIRES takes the diligent management of these funds extremely seriously and is working closely with a wide range of organisations to implement plans designed to deliver maximum value for immediately affected wildlife and surviving wildlife in the wild. Many animals are also facing long-term challenges due to the food and water shortages and lack of habitat.

No-one knows yet whether hundreds of animals at risk of extinction have survived and for the remaining animals of these species, unprecedented actions to preserve their future may be required.

Thanks to our incredible donors, we are immensely proud to have been able to already have approved or disbursed funding to 70 licensed rescue groups or individually licensed carers across 6 states and territories, in addition to supporting our 28 WIRES Branches across NSW, and every day there are more applications being received and processed.

These funds have been used to:

• provide food and water to hundreds of animals in care, including more than 11 tonnes of hay. 
• fund medical equipment for emergency animal care
• fund veterinary expenses
• fund lifesaving medications
• expand existing care enclosures to accommodate the increased amount of rescued animals in the aftermath of the bushfires.
• repair damaged enclosures or facilities destroyed by fires.

Additionally:
• water tanks, pumps, pipes, high-visibility vests and radios have also been funded to help volunteers to stay safe in the dangerous search and rescue conditions.
• specialised facilities are being built for Koalas and Greater Gliders.
• 26 ICU incubators have been purchased. These incubators are invaluable when caring for young orphaned animals who would still be relying on their mothers to keep them warm.
• 5 flying-fox flight aviaries are being built along with the repair and extension to an existing facility.
• supplies including pouches, possum boxes, safety equipment and medical supplies have been distributed to 7 states and territories with the assistance of the Animal Rescue Cooperative.

Thank you for your support, we have been very moved by the level of compassion from around the globe, it is greatly appreciated.