Preparing wildlife first responders for the next bushfire

Critical training is being rolled out across Australia to help wildlife groups better prepare for the next bushfire.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is launching its wildlife search and rescue training course in Port Macquarie in collaboration with Koala Conservation Australia (KCA). The course was developed in the aftermath of the catastrophic Black Summer bushfires, which ravaged the area and killed many wild animals.

KCA's volunteer koala rescuers took part in the training during October.

Since the 2019-20 fires, government and the wildlife sector have focused on improving how wildlife is managed during bushfires, but IFAW animal rescue officer Robert Leach says more needs to be done.

“The processes don’t prepare your everyday wildlife rescuer for the challenges they may face in a disaster,” Mr Leach said.

“When you’re heading into a fireground, everything is thrown out the window. You don’t know what you’re going to find, where the animals are, or how you will be able to help them. This training will upskill wildlife rescuers into wildlife first responders.”

The training aims to better prepare wildlife rescuers to navigate a fireground efficiently and safely while searching for wildlife. Expert guidance will improve skills in key techniques, including safety on the fireground, search strategies, mapping, setting up triage clinics, what to do when encountering an animal on the fireground, and responder mental health.

“We do not want a repeat of the Black Summer bushfires, where we had animals suffering, and members of the public and wildlife rescuers putting themselves in harm's way to rescue them. We must do all we can to minimise that hero behaviour where human safety is not prioritised,” Mr Leach said.

“We are trying to do better for our wildlife, so they do not suffer so immensely again.
“Hopefully, better prepared wildlife experts will mean fewer members of the public will put themselves in danger. They can put their trust in committed well-trained experts to save animals.”

Koala Conservation Australia Conservation Manager Scott Castle said this was a good opportunity to upskill volunteers new to bushfire wildlife search and rescue, and refresh for those with previous experience. 

“Thankfully, there has been little demand on our post-fire rescue team in recent years. However, this course will help prepare our team so we can spring into action when required,” Mr Castle said.

Climate change is making disasters more intense and frequent, especially in Australia. IFAW has decades of experience in disaster response in Australia and across the world and is committed to ensuring that more people are trained, empowered, and ready to deploy and rescue animals when needed.

Members of the public are urged to download the free IFAW Wildlife Rescue App, which connects individuals to their closest wildlife rescue organisation. The app can be used in times of emergency and daily.

For more information from IFAW, contact: Dominica Mack - dmack@ifaw.org   

About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)

IFAW is a global non-profit helping animals and people thrive together. We are experts and everyday people, working across seas, oceans and in more than 40 countries around the world. We rescue, rehabilitate and release animals, and we restore and protect their natural habitats. The problems we’re up against are urgent and complicated. To solve them, we match fresh thinking with bold action. We partner with local communities, governments, non-governmental organisations and businesses. Together, we pioneer new and innovative ways to help all species flourish.

IFAW acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country and their connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.