WIRES Announces Stage 2 Emergency Funding Plans

WIRES Announces Stage 2 Emergency Funding Plans

Sunday, May 7, 2023

WIRES has announced the allocation of $35 million in funding as part of Stage 2 plans for their Emergency Fund to help Australian native wildlife


The priorities of Stage 2 plans are focused on Rescue, Rehabilitation and Recovery.


“A major aim of our Stage 2 plan is to build national rescue and rehabilitation capacity through collaboration and long-term programs,” said WIRES CEO Leanne Taylor. “We are extremely grateful for the support received from the community both here in Australia and internationally and we are fully committed to using this opportunity to improve the outcomes for our native animals now and in the future.”


A key program included in the Stage 2 plans is a national grants program to be run over the next five years to support non-WIRES licensed wildlife rescuers and carers. $5 million will be distributed to assist licensed carers and groups to support best practice rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife. Details of the grants program will be announced soon.


As the largest wildlife rescue organisation in Australia, WIRES is also committed to developing a national network by enhancing state-based systems and improving the structures and support for wildlife rescue and care. $5 million has been allocated to this program.


WIRES will continue to work alongside Animal Rescue Cooperative (ARC) by providing funding for critical supplies including food, medical needs and the distribution of craft items to support wildlife carers during emergency events. $420,000 has been allocated to support 23 ARC HUB locations nationally.


WIRES will also be providing $1.6 million in funding to support research following a study commissioned to identify knowledge gaps in habitat conservation and species recovery in the changed landscape post the Black Summer Bushfires.


A further $23 million has been allocated to other projects, programs and partnerships directly supporting species and habitat recovery initiatives and conservation efforts. This will directly address the ongoing impacts of the 2019/2020 emergency events including drought and fire that devastated wildlife populations. Details of specific programs will continue to be announced throughout 2021.

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