From the desk of Roland Rocchiccioli – 22 March

You would be a hard-hearted Hannah not to be moved by some of the recent pictures of dazed animals in distress during the summer bushfires which burnt-out vast tracts of this country. 

THE devastation was unprecedented. The University of Sydney ecologist, Professor Chris Dickman, estimated one billion animals perished. More than 25.5 million acres of land – an area the size of South Korea – was razed. Imagery showed smoke plumes reaching as far as South America. The first comprehensive overview, compiled by the Climate Council, reveals the fires claimed 33 lives, killed one billion animals, destroyed 2439 homes, wiped billions out of the economy (many people and entire communities are still struggling as a direct consequence); and released an alarming quantity of CO2 into the atmosphere,

A press release from the Andrews Labor Government – issued 23 January – deserves publication, in part, with additions and comment.

The Labor Government has taken financial action to support Victoria’s bushfire impacted wildlife and biodiversity with a $17.5 million initial rescue package to assist in recovery efforts. The recent bushfires had an unprecedented impact on Victoria’s flora and fauna. The funding will support a range of urgent actions necessary to give our treasured plants and animals the best chance of survival – including critical habitat restoration, predator and pest control, and immediate salvage operations.

Premier Daniel Andrews said, “There are specialist teams on the ground providing food, shelter and care for injured animals – this funding will expand this vital work, helping our most precious plants and animals recover from these devastating fires.”

The funding will target those species most at risk, including the brush-tailed rock wallaby – Victoria’s most endangered mammal. The five subspecies of black-footed rock-wallaby are variously listed as endangered, vulnerable or near threatened, (sadly, the eastern hare wallaby, and the crescent nail-tail wallaby have become extinct since European settlement); the long-footed potaroo, which has a life expectancy of 14 years; and the large brown tree frog. Frogs are disappearing not only in Australia but worldwide. The problem is complex because we do not fully understand the causes, and serious because it highlights problems in the environment.  Frogs play a central role in many ecosystems. They control insect populations, especially mosquitos; and they provide a food source for many larger animals.

It is estimated 185 of Victoria’s species, many of them rare and threatened, including 19 mammal, 13 frog, 10 reptile, nine bird, 29 aquatic, and 38 plant, including the bottlebrush, Snowy River westringia and the Gippsland Banksia, have been impacted by the fires.

Wildlife triage units and assessment teams have been in operation in, and around, the fire grounds. Targeted supplementary feeding has been delivered to wildlife via food drops from the air, and on the ground. The announced funding is in addition to grants of up to $1000 which was made available to shelters and foster carers helping to rehabilitate native wildlife injured by the fires.

The government’s initial rescue package has been informed by expert advice on biodiversity response and recovery, and a preliminary report is available at wildlife.vic.gov.au.

The Andrews Labor Government is to be heartily applauded for this initiative. Too often, in times of natural disasters, animals are forgotten; left to fend for themselves, invariably with devastating results. When it comes to the destruction of our flora and fauna, we have, since colonisation, 1788, one of the world’s worst records – including those of third world countries. Twenty-seven of the continent’s 273 mammals; four frogs; and 24 birds, are now extinct.

The catastrophic clearing of Australian trees and replacement with European varieties is to be regretted, and cannot be reversed. Equally, the introduction of cloven hooved animals (all of Australia’s natural fauna is soft-footed) has created chaos for native plant life. It is time to think seriously about our effect on our flora and fauna. Surprisingly, for such a challenging climate, it is extraordinarily delicate, and needs our constant care and attention.

Roland can be heard on RADIO 3BA, every Monday morning, 10.45 and contacted via [email protected].