Australian Bushfire Emergency

Australian Bushfire Emergency | WWF New Zealand

AUSTRALIAN BUSHFIRE EMERGENCY APPEAL

Right now, Australia is burning. Ravaged by the most destructive bushfire season the country has ever seen.

It’s been estimated that around 1.25 billion animals have been killed across Australia to date.

This includes thousands of koalas and other iconic species such as kangaroos, wallabies, kookaburras, cockatoos and honeyeaters burnt alive, and many thousands more injured and homeless.

Donate to save vulnerable wildlife in urgent need of our help today.

WWF-New Zealand have launched this appeal so you can help us to help our Australian friends and our environment.

© Matthew Abbott / WWF-Australia / Panos

WHAT WWF IS DOING

With the money raised, our Australia teams along with local organisations will carry out work including:

Providing emergency funds to care for injured wildlife
After the fires clear, helping restore homes for koalas and other wildlife, planting the first 10,000 trees urgently needed in koala habitats
Supporting the response, recovery and restoration teams in any other way we can
Working with governments on legislation to better protect people and nature

WILDLIFE IN CRISIS

It’s been estimated that over one billion animals have been killed nationally. This includes thousands of koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and other iconic species being burnt alive. Many thousands more are injured and homeless. We need your urgent support to help the most vulnerable.

Donate to help suffering animals

IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON BUSHFIRE

Climate change does not directly cause bushfires, but it does make them worse.

Australia is a land of bushfires but this season’s bushfire catastrophe is not normal.

Australia has been experiencing more frequent intense heatwaves and prolonged dry periods that have created tinder box conditions. Global heating is making droughts and fires hotter and more frequent as we have seen this season.

It's essential we change the circumstances which foster destructive megafires, impact biodiversity and place our relationship with nature in disharmony. It's imperative we future proof in order to mitigate climate change.

Although the focus of our work right now is on helping wildlife, we know this has also been a devastating time for many people in Australia. Our hearts go out to all the families and communities directly affected by the bushfires. We would also like to recognize the heroics of the firefighters and wildlife carers who have worked tirelessly on the frontline, as well as the amazing work of the many organisations helping those in desperate need.