critically endangered animals given a second chance during bushfires

Western Australia, 31 March 2022 – Dozens of critically endangered animals have been given a second chance at life after being rescued during Western Australia’s bushfires and heatwaves. 

For several months, parts of Western Australia experienced record-breaking heatwaves and catastrophic bushfires. As a result, local volunteer group FAWNA Inc was inundated with severely injured and distressed wildlife in the South West region of Western Australia. 

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) provided emergency support and sponsored a specialist wildlife vet to help FAWNA Inc ensure injured animals were given timely assessments and if needed, immediate specialist treatment and relief from suffering. 

Dr Shan Siah, the IFAW-sponsored vet, joined FAWNA Inc for a month over summer and helped rescue and treat 45 critically endangered western ringtail possums. Sadly, seven were too severely injured to be saved but 30 were able to be rehabilitated and released back into the wild as a result of the timely veterinary care received.  

The remaining eight are still undergoing rehabilitation until they are ready to be released into the wild as well. 

“Having that vet support is so critical because it helps to give injured animals immediate treatment and ultimately the best chances of survival,” IFAW Animal Rescue Officer Nicole Rojas-Marin said. 

“We were able to help give 38 critically endangered animals a second chance at life which is so important for the conservation of the species. Every individual animal we can rescue and rehabilitate is critical — every animal counts.” 

FAWNA Inc President Suzi Strapp said having the specialist knowledge of a wildlife vet on hand has been critical in getting wildlife timely and appropriate treatment. 

“Having instant access to a dedicated vet and the right medicines for wildlife helped us to reduce animal suffering and give wildlife a better chance of survival,” Ms Strapp said. 

“IFAW gave our volunteers hope when we were overwhelmed and feeling hopeless. Without hesitation they delivered the resources we needed to reduce the suffering of our precious wildlife.” 

ENDS  

Photos available here. 

About the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) - The International Fund for Animal Welfare is a global non-profit helping animal and people thrive together. We are experts and everyday people, working across seas, oceans and in more than 40 countries around the world. We rescue, rehabilitate and release animals, and we restore and protect their natural habitats. The problems we’re up against are urgent and complicated. To solve them, we match fresh thinking with bold action. We partner with local communities, governments, non-governmental organisations and businesses. Together, we pioneer new and innovative ways to help all species flourish. See how at ifaw.org  

About FAWNA Inc - FAWNA Inc has been caring for endemic wildlife in WA’s South West for over 30 years. We have been working toward our goal of providing the very best care with the resources we have available and to that end we are working with our Wildlife Welfare Partners IFAW to ensure wildlife in need are provided with timely and appropriate veterinary care.