The extent and duration of the wildfires in New South Wales, Australia have led to a catastrophic loss.
Devastating reports reveal that almost half a billion animals in Australia perished due to the fires that started in September.
Just in New South Wales, over 3 million hectares were decimated by the flames, resulting in the death of about 480 million mammals, birds, and reptiles, either directly or indirectly.
The internet has been inundated with harrowing images depicting the widespread destruction of homes, wildlife, and entire communities across Australia.
“Some species may never recover. It’s estimated that close to half a billion animals perished,” stated Chris Dickman, an ecology professor at the University of Sydney, in an interview with Daily Mail Australia.
“Many koalas have tragically succumbed either directly to the fires or indirectly from a combination of factors like starvation. Others have been preyed upon by dogs,” added Dickman.
The final toll of animal casualties from the fires is still uncertain, but it is expected to exceed early estimations.
Wildlife organizations will likely need significant human intervention to help restore animal populations to pre-fire levels, though the future remains uncertain.
The repercussions of this tragic event will echo through Australia for generations to come.
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