The catastrophic Black Summer bushfires took an unprecedented toll on native animals in 2019/2020 and this crisis event was preceded by a long-term drought that had lasted almost a decade in many parts of Australia. The fires saw millions of hectares of land burnt including threatened species habitat and an estimated twenty percent of Australian forests were impacted. As a result, hundreds of species are now closer to extinction with a WWF Report confirming that almost three billion animals were fire affected, including 143 million mammals, 2.46 billion reptiles, 180 million birds, and 51 million frogs.
The WIRES Emergency Fund was created to respond to these natural disasters and the ongoing threat of habitat destruction. This was made possible by the global financial support received in 2020 which enabled WIRES to provide immediate emergency response, establish longer term recovery plans and increase capacity for future extreme weather events.
Over the last 24 months and whilst negotiating the operational restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, WIRES has managed to deliver significant results for wildlife nationally with many more projects to be launched this year. WIRES is collaborating with leading environment organisations, wildlife groups, universities and government agencies nationally to deliver the best long-term outcomes for wildlife. Due to climate change, scientists are forecasting that temperatures are rising and that the frequency and intensity of natural disasters such as bushfires and extreme weather are predicted to increase.
WIRES Emergency Response and Recovery Plan outlines our strategic approach to the disbursement of the $90 million raised in the Emergency Fund in early 2020. In October 2020, the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) reviewed three major charities involved in the bushfire response and were beneficiaries of world-wide donations, including WIRES. Read the review.
STAGE 1 RESPONSE
WIRES priorities for Stage 1:
- Emergency response to optimise welfare outcomes for native animals
- Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation requirements for additional wildlife food and equipment
- Habitat and species recovery projects in areas impacted by the fires and drought
WIRES committed $12.4 million to Stage 1, including:
- $4+ million for Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation
- $2.6+ million for Species Conservation and Fire Recovery Projects*
- $1.2+ million for Wildlife Habitat Recovery
- $1.2+ million for Wildlife Research*
- $1+ million for Food for Wildlife
- $1+ million for Water for Wildlife*
Key Projects Include:
- Projects to support vets nationally, including an urgent extension to Currumbin Wildlife Hospital to expand treatment capacity
- 223 projects to support wildlife rescue and rehabilitation nationally
- 64 habitat recovery projects nationally, including the planting over 92,000 native plants to support over 50 native species
- Conservation projects to support 17 threatened species
- Critical koala research
*With multi-year programs the funding is allocated over several years and dispersed based on an approved schedule, aligned with the delivery of project outcomes.
STAGE 2 RESPONSE
WIRES priorities for Stage 2 are:
- Increasing national rescue and rehabilitation capacity
- Improving emergency wildlife response capability
- Supporting long-term species and habitat recovery projects
WIRES committed $41 million to Stage 2, including:
- $5+ million for five-year National Wildlife Grant Program*
- $3+ million for Koala, Flying-fox, Platypus & Plains-wanderer Projects to be announced by June 2022*
- $2.5+ million expanding Rescue Office Capacity
- $1+ million for expanding Rehabilitation Capacity in NSW and National Emergency Preparedness
- $1.6+ million for three-year National Wildlife Research Grant Program*
- $600K+ for critical wildlife research for Turtles, Wombats and Koalas plus breeding programs for Turtles and Koalas*
- $23+ million allocated for projects expected to be announced by December 2022
Key Projects Include:
- National Grant Program launched 2021 is supporting over 60 key wildlife projects in the first year
- National Research Grant Program launched in February 2022
- Increased Rescue Office Capacity to enable WIRES to handle higher rescue call volumes e.g. Oct 2021 WIRES 1300# was receiving over 6,500 calls per week
- Major rehabilitation capacity project for primary species categories rescued in NSW, including Raptors, Flying-foxes, Birds, Wombat, Echidnas and Marine Turtles.
- Conservation research and breeding programs for endangered freshwater turtles
- Mange treatment research for wombats to improve in field treatment outcomes
- Koala research and breeding program
*With multi-year programs the funding is allocated over several years and dispersed based on an approved schedule, aligned with the delivery of project outcomes.
STAGE 3 RESPONSE
WIRES priorities for Stage 3 are:
- Review of Stage 1 and Stage 2 projects to assess and confirm impact delivered for wildlife
- Assessment of threatened species and habitat recovery requirements to identify any gaps
- Strategic investment in major projects to facilitate WIRES capacity for best practice rescue, rehabilitation and emergency response
WIRES has committed $37 million to Stage 3 and the final allocation of funds is expected to be confirmed by December 2023.
All Emergency Funds will be allocated to projects and programs that support wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and recovery.
PROGRAM / FUND MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
WIRES estimates less than 8c per dollar will be spent on essential program management and administrative costs.
