18 March 2013:

The Victorian government has refused to allow injured wildlife to be rescued from a second major fire ground in the state leaving thousands more animals to die in agony from burns, smoke inhalation, starvation and dehydration.

The Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment has now locked out wildlife rescuers from the 40,000 hectare Grampians fire ground, weeks after the fire was contained and sparking calls for an urgent inquiry into the Victorian government and their neglect of fire affected wildlife.

Nikki Sutterby said in a statement today:

“The Grampians National Park is now the second major fireground the Victorian government has denied wildlife rescuers access to, weeks after the fire is contained, and leaving thousands of injured wildlife to die in agony from burns and starvation.”

This decision by the Victorian government comes after they also refused to allow rescuers into the entire 85,000 hectare Gippsland fire ground well after the fire was contained, and again leaving countless animals to perish in agony. To this day, there has been no co ordinated rescue effort or food drop program in the entire 85,000 hectare Gippsland fireground, and now nor the 40,000 Grampians fire ground. This is in stark contrast to the 2009 fires when the CFA, the DSE and state and local wildlife groups all worked together to rescue and feed wildlife as soon as possible.

“This decision has led to widespread despair among our members, wildlife volunteers and rescue groups who believe that thousands of animals have been left to die a slow and painful death by the Victoria government”, said Ms Sutterby.

“There will be kangaroos with burnt feet that will be in excruciating pain (see image above). Others will be suffering from smoke inhalation that cant breathe properly, and many others including koalas will have gone blind from facial burns. The animals who were lucky enough to survive the fire will also suffer as they have no food or water and will die a slow death from starvation and dehydration. To think of what these animals are going through is heart wrenching”.

“To refuse injured and starving animals assistance is a serious animal welfare issue that needs to be investigated urgently before these animals suffer another day. We are calling for an urgent inquiry into the government and their failure to allow for the search, rescue and feeding of injured wildlife after bush fires”, said Ms Sutterby.

“We are calling on the members of the Victorian parliament to challenge this cruel decision by the government and as an urgent animal welfare issue we are calling for an urgent inquiry so that these animals can be immediately rescued and fed, or in many cases put out of their misery”, said Ms Sutterby.

The female kangaroo in the top photo was rescued from bush fires near Chittering in WA. She lived like this for five days with both of her feet completely burnt off. Locals called wildlife rescuer Paul Falconer West who thankfully put her out of its misery. This is a classic example of the injuries wildlife can endure after bush fires.

 

Download the Press Release pdf file here.