Emergency Rescue Rehabilitation And Recovery

Monday, March 1, 2021

Emergency Bushfire and Recovery Project Updates

March 2021 Update

WIRES Announces Stage 2 Emergency Funding Plans

WIRES has announced the allocation of $35 million in funding as part of Stage 2 plans for the Emergency Fund to help Australian native wildlife after the devastating droughts and bushfires of FY19/20.

We are privileged and grateful for the support received from the community both here in Australia and internationally, and are committed to using this opportunity to improve the outcomes for our native animals now and in the future.

With priorities focused on Rescue, Rehabilitation and Recovery, a major aim of the Stage 2 plan is to build national capacity through collaboration and long-term programs;

A $5 million national grants program will be run over the next five years to support best practise rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife and native species recovery projects.
$5 million has been allocated to developing a national network, enhancing state-based systems and improving the structures and support for wildlife rescue and care.
$420,000 to 23 national hubs of our partner Animal Rescue Cooperative (ARC) to fund critical supplies including food, medical needs and the distribution of craft items to support wildlife carers during emergency events
$1.6 million in research funding to identify knowledge gaps in habitat conservation and species recovery in the changed landscape, post Black Summer Bushfires
A further $23 million allocated to projects, programs and partnerships directly supporting species and habitat recovery initiatives and conservation efforts. This will directly address the ongoing impacts of the 2019/2020 emergency events including drought and fire that devastated wildlife populations.

Additional details of specific programs will continue to be announced throughout 2021.

January 2021 Update

WIRES is close to announcing the release of a second major tranche of emergency funding. Over $25 million is currently with WIRES Board for approval with projects to be announced during the first quarter of 2021.

Funding is being distributed across the core areas of Rescue, Rehabilitation and Recovery:

Supporting the rescue and care of sick, injured, displaced and orphaned animals and increasing national rescue and care capacity
Funding projects that address the impacts of the changed environmental landscape and support the recovery of wildlife habitat and the long-term preservation of native species
Supporting a national framework to engage volunteers in best practice rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife affected by emergency events and reduce future risk to wildlife

WIRES would like to acknowledge the incredible support it has received from Australians as well as immense global support for Australia’s native wildlife following the bushfire and drought events. This funding is enabling WIRES to implement vital plans to address significant challenges facing our wildlife. WIRES has established partnerships with a wide range of organisations and individuals since the bushfires and is working with them to create new and innovative programs to support critical wildlife recovery long-term.

In the aftermath of catastrophic fires, severe drought and extreme weather taking a tragic toll on wildlife, we remain focused on rescue, rehabilitation and recovery.

The last 12 months has been unlike anything WIRES and the Australian community have ever experienced. Compounding the impact of one of the worst droughts in history, massive fires raged for months in what has become known as Australia's Black Summer. Millions of hectares of land were burnt, much of which was threatened species habitat and 20% of Australian forests were lost. Species thought to be common may need to be reclassified and there are hundreds of species at risk of extinction.

A report from WWF confirmed that almost 3 billion animals were killed or displaced by the bushfire crisis, 143 million mammals, 2.46 billion reptiles, 180 million birds, and 51 million frogs.

Global community support enabled WIRES to provide national emergency support. In addition to supporting WIRES 28 branches in NSW, WIRES has funded over 240 projects nationally for licensed wildlife carers, groups and vets. WIRES are also working on a wide range of major projects to support wildlife recovery, including critical koala research and Water for Wildlife with The University of Sydney, 64 projects to help restore wildlife habitat nationally with Landcare Australia and critical conservation projects with Aussie Ark and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

From January to November WIRES volunteers accepted over 35,600 rescues and we continue to assist sick, injured and orphaned native animals every day. WIRES are also working on projects with key partners to expand wildlife rescue and care capacity and emergency preparedness, as forecasts indicate that the frequency and intensity of bushfires and extreme weather will continue to increase.

Detailed Reports and Reviews

Please see Bushfire Funding FAQ’s here.

In October 2020, the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission reviewed 3 major charities involved in the bushfire response, including WIRES. Read the review.

More detail on specific projects can be found in media releases and WIRES Wildlife blog.

WIRES Valued Emergency Rescue, Rehabilitation and Recovery Project Partners

Animal Rescue Cooperative
Aussie Ark
Australian Wildlife Conservancy
Currumbin Wildlife Hospital
Local Councils around Australia
Landcare Australia
The Ripper Alliance
University of Sydney
WWF Australia

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