Late Aussie Zookeeper’s Family Continues to Save Wildlife Amid Fire Crisis

As Australia goes through the worst brushfire crisis of its history, the most vulnerable beings currently is the country’s wildlife and particularly endangered species of kangaroos and koalas. As per reports approximately half a billion animals have been victim to the wildlife with many endangered species included.

The situation further aggravated for the koalas as the fire hit Kangaroo Island. As a result as many as 25,000 koalas burnt to death, unfortunately wiping out entire rare and endangered species.

However, amid this crisis, there’s a family of late Australian zookeeper Steve Irvin – who died while filming a documentary in 2006 – helping the vulnerable animals. The family known as wildlife warriors has rescued over 90,000 animals who are currently under treatment at Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital run by Irwin family.

“It’s definitely an ongoing issue and we’re just trying to do our best to help in any way we can. But it’s a pretty tough situation. We’re absolutely heartbroken,” said Steve’s 16-year old son Robert who along with his mother Terri and sister Bindi Irwin is voluntarily combatting the crisis.

“With so many devastating fires within Australia, my heart breaks for the people and wildlife who have lost so much. I wanted to let you know that we are SAFE. There are no fires near us @AustraliaZoo or our conservation properties. Our Wildlife Hospital is busier than ever though, having officially treated over 90,000 patients,” Bindi had said earlier on Instagram.

As per the family, it’s not just the fire that’s a threat to the wildlife. Additionally, the animals are running to save their lives and ending up in places that are unsafe for them.

“This means they’re getting hit by cars and are being attacked by domestic animals, so there’s a horrific knock-on effect,” Robert told a local news channel.

Terri added that despite the family’s efforts and the Australian wildlife services contribution, the threat is imminent in future as well. She urged the responsible authorities to help prevent wildfires of this nature in the future.

“Nw is the time we need to look at more than just setting aside habitat. Koalas are classed as vulnerable and I think that after this event we need to really sit down and look at classing them as endangered and protecting our icons, our kangaroos, our koalas,” said Terri.

"Being able to treat and help koalas is few and far between because they're basically incinerated"

Terri Irwin chats about the devastating impact of Australia's bushfires on our vulnerable koala population.

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— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) January 5, 2020