The wildfires in Australia are still continuing to grow since they began in July of last year. There are theories of what may have caused it. Australia has a very dry climate, making it easy to start a bushfire. Experts suggest these most recent wildfires may also be due to climate change, but people who don’t believe in climate change claim it was caused by arson (people who set property on fire, a criminal act) or a simple mistake. Vox stated that the fires’ rapid spread was due to high winds at 80 mph, causing a buildup of heavy smoke.
So far the fire has spread about 17.9 acres across six states. New South Wales, Australia’s largest state, has been hit the hardest because it is said that half a billion animals have died, not counting the number of bats, frogs and insects killed, according to one CNN article.
“I think everyone is sad about that [wildfire] because so many animals are dying,” Senior Seth Rizen said.
Some worried that koalas, who are native to Australia and are endangered, would be particularly vulnerable in this crisis. However, The University of Sydney has stated that koalas are spread out across the country, meaning that the species is not in immediate danger. But that doesn’t mean the koala population remains unthreatened. Sussan Ley, Australian Federal Environment Minister, told ABC’s AM Radio Program that “up to 30% of the koalas in the region may have been killed, because up to 30% of their habitat has been destroyed… We’ll know more when the fires are calmed down and a proper assessment can be made.”
One attempt that has been made to save koalas is by using dogs. ABC News reported that one rescue dog in particular, Taylor, fours years old, has already saved eight koalas.
Madde Page, a Northwood senior, expressed her concern for the Koalas in the midst of the wildfires.
“It just makes the situation worse,” Page said. “They are literally suffering in their natural habitat.”
According to NBCnews, the animals that are living in Kingston, where Kangaroo Island’s animal sanctuary is located, were attacked by the wildfire January 15. Many people who work in wildlife park have come to aid Kangaroo Island to help with recovery efforts. Many of the trees that provide food to the animals are burned down and are no longer safe to eat, making many animals vulnerable to starvation. NBCnews state that nearly 500,000 acres of Kangaroo Island have been burned in the blazes described as “hell on earth” by Mayor Michael Pengilly. There have been volunteers, such as military personnel to look for animals in distress.
Despite the dire circumstances for Australians and the millions of native species that have been affected by the wildfires, some remain hopeful that conditions will improve.
“By spreading awareness, like social media and plastering (it) on the news– like the animals there and air quality — people will step up,” Page said.
By Ian Rivera-Lopez
