Welfare of Wild Animals in Bushfire Recovery Landscapes

Post-bushfire landscapes present ongoing welfare challenges for surviving wildlife, including food scarcity, habitat loss, and increased predation vulnerability during recovery periods.

Key Facts

The 2019-20 Australian bushfires affected an estimated 3 billion animals through direct mortality and habitat loss
Surviving animals face months of food scarcity as vegetation recovers and invertebrate populations rebuild
Predation rates on surviving wildlife increase in open post-fire landscapes due to reduced cover
Emergency wildlife feeding programs during fire recovery have been deployed in Australia with mixed evidence for effectiveness
Predator management in post-fire recovery areas can reduce pressure on vulnerable wildlife populations

Welfare Considerations

The welfare crisis of a major bushfire does not end when the flames are extinguished. Surviving animals enter a landscape stripped of food, cover, and the ecological relationships that sustain them. Starvation, predation, and dehydration claim additional lives for months or years after fire. The sheer scale of suffering in major fire events — billions of individual animals — represents one of the largest acute wildlife welfare events on record. Emergency response planning, predator management, and long-term habitat restoration all have roles in reducing this suffering.

What You Can Do

Support wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organizations active during and after bushfire events
Donate to organizations providing emergency food and water to fire-affected wildlife
Advocate for fire management strategies that prioritize post-fire wildlife habitat recovery
Plant native vegetation to support wildlife food availability in fire-prone regions