As animals flee from the raging bush-fires that have enveloped Australia, close to one billion native species have reportedly been killed by flame that continue to burn beyond control. However, despite animal lover Steve Irwin having passed on, his legacy of caring and tending to animals has been passed along to his wife and children, in a report by CNN.
Speaking to Anderson Cooper, it is revealed that the Irwin family has taken on the responsibility of taking in a large number of animals that were wounded during the catastrophic bush-fires that have ravaged Australia through the Australia Zoo, which is owned and operated by the Irwin family.
To date, they have recovered more than 90,000 animals, many of which are victims from the devastating flames.
They have also reported that their dedicated Wildlife Hospital has seen a sharp increase in the number of animal victims being sent in, as many trying to escape the blazing inferno have been hit by passing cars or even attacked by dogs on the streets. That’s on top of the fact that they are already suffering from burn injuries!
Many animals are said to be in a confused state of panic as they try to escape the heat, but by far some of the worst victims that have been affected by the fires are koalas.
“The problem with koalas is they instinctively go to the tops of trees,” Terri said.
“Eucalyptus trees have a very high oil content in the leaves, and when a hot fire hits a eucalyptus tree, they literally explode.”
Terri also says that unless the fires are put out sooner rather than later, the number of injured animals that are admitted to their hospitals will only increase from hundreds, to thousands.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the Irwin family for their unwavering dedication to the support and aid of these injured animals, and hope that their efforts will continue to be supported by the public. We would also hope that the circumstances in Australia improve, and that the bush-fires will see an end soon.
Also read: Exhausted Aussie Fireman Naps On Lawn After Fighting Fires 12 Hours a Day For 10 Days Straight