The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

Hundreds of animals were rescued after the Black Summer bushfires – but how many actually survived?

  • Written by Catherine Herbert, Associate professor, University of Sydney

The horrific Black Summer bushfires of 2019–20 burned more than 8 million hectares[1] of vegetation across southeastern Australia. An estimated 3 billion animals[2] were caught in the fire zone.

Intense media coverage often included graphic images[3] of koalas and other marsupials fighting for survival. People everywhere became emotionally invested[4] in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.

Yet despite the courageous efforts of volunteers, our new research[5] has found wildlife rescue and rehabilitation rates were much lower than expected.

We can use this information to improve our response to future disasters. Knowledge of the likely chance of recovery from different injuries can be used to refine treatment for each species. This will allow volunteers and veterinarians to prioritise rehabilitation efforts and minimise animal suffering.

Read more: 200 experts dissected the Black Summer bushfires in unprecedented detail. Here are 6 lessons to heed[6]

Grim statistics on rescue and rehab

Our research[7] analysed marsupial rescue, rehabilitation and release statistics from two of the worst-affected regions[8]: New South Wales and Kangaroo Island.

We compared these statistics to the estimated population size for each species and to typical marsupial rescue and rehabilitation records[9] in NSW. Typical rescue data were not readily available for Kangaroo island.

Despite an estimated 46.8 million marsupials in the NSW fire zones[10], only 889 marsupial rescues were reported in NSW. Just 618 marsupial rescues were reported on Kangaroo Island.

Why were rescue rates so low? Our research provides some clues.

The peak rescue period was 6–8 weeks after fire ignition, and rescues were mostly clustered around the edge of the fire zone. This suggests that timely access to firegrounds was difficult or unsafe. The scale and intensity of the fires almost certainly limited the capacity of many individual animals[11] to flee. Many likely perished in the fire, or before rescuers could arrive.

Most rescues in NSW were of common species such as kangaroos and wallabies (458) or possums (162). But koalas (204), a threatened species in NSW[12], were rescued more often than expected relative to their population size.

So what was the fate of animals that were rescued? Sadly, we found more than half the marsupials rescued in both regions did not survive.

Kangaroos and possums were more likely to be euthanised on the fireground or soon after being found. Koalas, on the other hand, were more likely to enter rehabilitation facilities, but many still died.

We found kangaroos had a lower chance of successful rehabilitation (15%) than koalas (47%) and possums (55%). This highlights the need for more research on ways to improve rehabilitation success.

An orphaned eastern grey kangaroo joey with bandaged feet is held by a carer
Kangaroos were less likely than other animals to recover from injuries sustained in bushfires. AAP Image/Steven Saphore[13]

What can we learn?

Our analysis provides valuable insights that could be used to improve outcomes in the future.

The type of injury can be used to predict survival. Animals that had traumatic injuries, such as burns, were less likely to survive. If they were malnourished or immobilised they were in serious trouble. On the other hand, orphaned or heat-stressed and dehydrated animals had a better chance of survival and release back to the wild.

Our detailed analysis of the factors influencing survival for each species can be used to refine decision-making, improve animal welfare and identify areas where more research is needed to improve treatment regimes in the future. If an animal has a poor chance of survival, euthanasia should be considered at the initial assessment.

Read more: Saving burned or injured animals draws our sympathy. But some don't survive after release. Here's why[14]

The way forward

During the 2019–20 fires, the community expected that wild animals would be rescued and rehabilitated where possible. But most people involved in rehabilitation are volunteers who invest an enormous amount of time, money and energy[15] into caring for wildlife. These personal costs are much higher during disasters, and raise questions about whether wildlife volunteers should be compensated for their efforts.

As Australia and the world grapples with the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events[16], we need better ways to support wildlife and volunteers. Improving partnerships between government agencies and skilled volunteers may form part of the solution.

In response to the 2020 NSW Bushfire Inquiry[17], new initiatives in wildlife emergency response[18] have recognised the need for timely responses in the aftermath of disasters.

In NSW, firefighters have now received basic wildlife rescue training[19]. Veterinarians and wildlife volunteers have access to fireground training and protective equipment.

These initiatives aim to improve opportunities for wildlife rescue and animal welfare in the aftermath of future disasters. They also make it safer for workers and volunteers.

Our research supports the need for timely intervention if we want to rescue more animals and minimise suffering.

More consistent data collection is needed on a national scale to fully appreciate the true costs of disasters on wildlife. This should include user-friendly technology to accurately log all wildlife rescues (and euthanasia) in the field and track individual animals throughout rehabilitation. This will help to understand species differences in rates of rescue and rehabilitation, and hopefully improve rescue and rehabilitation outcomes for all species.

Read more: Wildlife recovery spending after Australia's last megafires was one-thirteenth the $2.7 billion needed[20]

References

  1. ^ burned more than 8 million hectares (www.nature.com)
  2. ^ 3 billion animals (assets.wwf.org.au)
  3. ^ graphic images (www.theatlantic.com)
  4. ^ emotionally invested (www.theguardian.com)
  5. ^ new research (www.mdpi.com)
  6. ^ 200 experts dissected the Black Summer bushfires in unprecedented detail. Here are 6 lessons to heed (theconversation.com)
  7. ^ Our research (www.mdpi.com)
  8. ^ worst-affected regions (www.nature.com)
  9. ^ rescue and rehabilitation records (www.environment.nsw.gov.au)
  10. ^ 46.8 million marsupials in the NSW fire zones (assets.wwf.org.au)
  11. ^ limited the capacity of many individual animals (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  12. ^ threatened species in NSW (www.dcceew.gov.au)
  13. ^ AAP Image/Steven Saphore (photos.aap.com.au)
  14. ^ Saving burned or injured animals draws our sympathy. But some don't survive after release. Here's why (theconversation.com)
  15. ^ time, money and energy (www.mdpi.com)
  16. ^ increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events (education.nationalgeographic.org)
  17. ^ NSW Bushfire Inquiry (www.nsw.gov.au)
  18. ^ wildlife emergency response (knowledge.aidr.org.au)
  19. ^ wildlife rescue training (www.environment.nsw.gov.au)
  20. ^ Wildlife recovery spending after Australia's last megafires was one-thirteenth the $2.7 billion needed (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/hundreds-of-animals-were-rescued-after-the-black-summer-bushfires-but-how-many-actually-survived-225699

Times Magazine

Building an AI-First Culture in Your Company

AI isn't just something to think about anymore - it's becoming part of how we live and work, whether we like it or not. At the office, it definitely helps us move faster. But here's the thing: just using tools like ChatGPT or plugging AI into your wo...

Data Management Isn't Just About Tech—Here’s Why It’s a Human Problem Too

Photo by Kevin Kuby Manuel O. Diaz Jr.We live in a world drowning in data. Every click, swipe, medical scan, and financial transaction generates information, so much that managing it all has become one of the biggest challenges of our digital age. Bu...

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

The Times Features

Is our mental health determined by where we live – or is it the other way round? New research sheds more light

Ever felt like where you live is having an impact on your mental health? Turns out, you’re not imagining things. Our new analysis[1] of eight years of data from the New Zeal...

Going Off the Beaten Path? Here's How to Power Up Without the Grid

There’s something incredibly freeing about heading off the beaten path. No traffic, no crowded campsites, no glowing screens in every direction — just you, the landscape, and the...

West HQ is bringing in a season of culinary celebration this July

Western Sydney’s leading entertainment and lifestyle precinct is bringing the fire this July and not just in the kitchen. From $29 lobster feasts and award-winning Asian banque...

What Endo Took and What It Gave Me

From pain to purpose: how one woman turned endometriosis into a movement After years of misdiagnosis, hormone chaos, and major surgery, Jo Barry was done being dismissed. What beg...

Why Parents Must Break the Silence on Money and Start Teaching Financial Skills at Home

Australia’s financial literacy rates are in decline, and our kids are paying the price. Certified Money Coach and Financial Educator Sandra McGuire, who has over 20 years’ exp...

Australia’s Grill’d Transforms Operations with Qlik

Boosting Burgers and Business Clean, connected data powers real-time insights, smarter staffing, and standout customer experiences Sydney, Australia, 14 July 2025 – Qlik®, a g...