According to the Australian , the federal government will pledge at least $50 million to help the wildlife affected by the endless bushfires. The decision fallows after some activist groups called for action by writing directly to the the federal environment minister, Sussan Ley, the Guardian reported.
The government representatives aim to collaborate with ecologists and scientists as a long-term restoration effort. However, right now the top priority would be all the wild animals affected by the blaze.
Speaking for Sunrise, treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the “initial investment of $50m into the protection and restoration of our wildlife and habitat is a critical step in creating a viable future for animals that have survived.” According to him, there are more investments to come. The money are coming from the government’s $2 billion bushfire recovery fund.
The Federal Government has committed $50 million to rehabilitate animals injured by bushfires and support groups working on habitat restoration.https://t.co/gugL0iMDXs
— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) January 12, 2020
According to the World Wildlife Fund Australia, the bushfires effects on the country’s biodiversity are dramatic and most likely irreversible. At least 26 million acres of land have been burned and what’s most heartbreaking – around 1,25 billion animals have died, including “thousands of precious koalas on the mid-north coast of NSW, along with other iconic species such as kangaroos, wallabies, gliders, potoroos, cockatoos and honeyeaters,” the World Wildlife Fund Australia shows in a statement.
More than 1 billion animals may have been killed directly or indirectly from the fires in Australia but the full extent of damage is still unknown. Read the latest and find out how you can help: https://t.co/qjwXFPHV1u pic.twitter.com/zm7CYlNEI6
— World Wildlife Fund (@World_Wildlife) January 8, 2020
Mr. Frydenberg also added that “$25 million will be used to set up an emergency recovery fund which will be lead by Australia’s Threatened Species Commissioner, Dr Sally Box,” while the other “$25 million will also be going to various volunteer groups, which are doing important work looking after damaged animals.”
Heartbreaking footage shows wallabies flee from a raging bushfire burning near a wilderness retreat on Australia’s Kangaroo Island last week.
More than 1 billion animals are estimated to have died in the devastating fires ravaging the continent. https://t.co/bGlchnUPBC pic.twitter.com/2TlchGz4En
— ABC News (@ABC) January 9, 2020
Source: 7news.com.au | the guardian | the australian
