Dear friends throughout NSW Our hearts go out to you and all those people who are suffering in these bush fires but also thinking of the Injured and distressed animals that have survived the bushfires in the Blue Mountains are emerging from affected areas and seeking refuge. Greg Keightly, branch disaster coordinator of the volunteer organisation Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Services (WIRES) in the Blue Mountains, said the animals included ringtail possums, sugar gliders, birds, swamp wallabies, echidnas, lizards and wallaroos. Mr Keightly said during previous bushfire disasters, animals had taken weeks to emerge, but the current conditions coupled with the destruction of urban areas meant that on this occasion injured animals had been seeking refuge immediately. He said the animals were distressed, had been badly affected by smoke and that many were suffering from burned paws and fused claws which had been melted by heat. Mr Keightly said concerned people could make water available for animals in need, but stressed that shallow dishes of water should be used as deep vessels could lead to drownings. He also reminded people to be aware of the risk that domestic animals posed to wildlife and urged them to keep dogs inside at night. WIRES advises people to keep a cardboard box and towel in the boot of their car in case they encounter injured wildlife. It recommends that burned animals can be wrapped loosely, placed in a box, kept in a dark, quiet and warm place and offered water but not food. Mr Keightly advised members of the public to immediately call the 24-hour local WIRES hotline on (02) 4754 2946 or 1300 094 737 if they needed to report a rescue. He said the organisation ensures animals are cared for until their local habitat regenerates and they can be safely released back into familiar territory. WIRES has established a Bushfire Appeal Fund to help injured, homeless, orphaned and disoriented animals. abc.net.au/news/2013-10-22/animal-victims-of-the-blue-mountains-bushfires-seek-refuge/5038032?section=nsw
Posted on: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 05:13:12 +0000
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