Residents of the Isle of Wight have been supporting the animals affected by the devastating bushfires that are currently burning their way through Australia.
Australia has seen record-breaking temperatures and months of severe drought which has fuelled a series of massive bushfires across the country.
Fires have been burning since September and have intensified over the past week resulting in a number of towns being evacuated.
The latest figures estimate that 480 million animals have perished including mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs and insects – 25,000 of which are koalas – approximately a third of the dangerously low koala population.
It has also been said that the human death toll of the fires has risen to 24 and more than 2,000 homes have been destroyed.
New South Wales Rural Fire Service has said that there are still 146 fires burning across Australia, with nearly half of these yet to be contained by firefighters.
Some areas have experienced torrential rain in some parts of New South Wales although officials have warned temperatures would rise again by Thursday.
Fundraising for Australia
A GoFundMe page was set up at the weekend by Amber Taylor-Wilcox and the description says:
“I’m sure most of us have friends families in Australia, if not I’m sure most of have had pets that we have loved.
“Their world is burning in front of them they are fleeing their homes to stand on a beach with their pets.
“I would like to help warriors 4 wildlife save domestic, livestock and wildlife and show how much as an Island we all care!
“I’ve set a high target as so many animals need help this could give them nearly 4000 Australian dollars!!!”
At the time of publishing the fundraiser was reaching the £700 mark.
[su_button url=”https://www.gofundme.com/f/isle-of-wight-help-save-australia-animals?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unknown&utm_campaign=comms_2dv3+island+echo” target=”blank” style=”flat” background=”#da1f26″ size=”5″ icon=”icon: money”]Donate[/su_button]
VIDEO: Watch this exclusive video shared by 9 News Sydney of the devastating effects the bushfires are having on the local animals.
Some viewers may find the video distressing.
https://www.facebook.com/9NewsSydney/videos/757479437998269/?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARBg_PW5OStA1_7dB6zW2shLLphB4sbXXvdB7OwIcc4-afk9By58eY5nVp990Xen7XfxFS-pWXrd3DfyRDOPYwdgbsAJtY7z1F7UHPUDp0tRzGAS-fRoI1Ij7yZG27q_ucOHTjni6aQHdI9ip7SKwnFqXgU-Uw2H5mB0VlP6sZi6L1NWmtsZX80wL1GZCFhEnZ6qTmZF7GP5ygTXjV5FlQwnVGEhaSML3juVMKiV3AhraqZy1bewqax0twbGOwSSOTrowLlQczvmGgJyugvRGRyRh1yxvwsahJJYB6ALqqlpLXUvPU7We1dJwSO1S6mcQtmGqxAiVtHnYT3hM1iGP9VgI_6X2creu95RAyQVjuruxOY3RxgEPdYTm4b0yVVrjOWfgxyu3XNUGVKkVhGIN3BuYH4l5Oib669kx7KE4rjo0UVsFkIEQLRKccGlYc9LNpAMoCheFzzrI6eZgSOek58lR0L3P8-4bsw1-EURlhc-EBCg3tV0IYBa5gY&__tn__=H-R
An awful occurrence for the animals who are the dead or worse, injured victims whose lives have been ruined.
Makes our wet weather almost seem pleasant.