Main image via The New York Times

The wildfires in southeast Australia have been going on since September and it’s not stopping anytime soon, with temperatures rising and heatwaves that are killing and hurting the animals.

Look, they don't know which way to run from cars, but they sure know which way to run from fire #NSWfires #bushfirecrisis 🤞 pic.twitter.com/EguanpLJq0

— Mitchell Lyons (@mitchest) December 30, 2019

The bushfires have killed nearly half a billion animals in New South Wales, Australia and the death toll are expected to rise.

According to ecologists from the University of Sydney, an estimated 480 million mammals, birds and reptiles have suffered from the wildfires, with koalas’ population especially devastated by the fires.

“Up to 30% of the koalas in the region may have been killed, because up to 30 percent of their habitat has been destroyed,” said the Australia’s Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley.

The skies on the east coast of Australia turned the skies into a blood-red apocalyptic scene, with the fires destroying homes in Mallacoota.

#Mallacoota is turning pinkish red. Still no flames visible from where I am but plenty of hot embers and the roar is undeniable. VicEmergency notifications are going wild. pic.twitter.com/ang6eTWz8B

— Brendan (@brendanh_au) December 30, 2019

Some residents also evacuated to the beach in Batemans Bay and a father and son reportedly died trying to protect their family home in Cobargo.

A fire tornado that was formed from turbulence by the extreme rising heat killed a volunteer firefighter, the third volunteer firefighter to die in the fire.

The Australian government have requested firefighting help from Canada and the United States and military aircraft, and naval vessels were authorized to deploy to help with the crisis.

Family of the late Steve Irwin have treated over 90,000 animals at the Australia Zoo and singer P!nk also donated half a million dollars to the Australian bushfire fund to help the frontline firefighters.

 

 

 

 

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With so many devastating fires within Australia, my heart breaks for the people and wildlife who have lost so much. I wanted to let you know that we are SAFE. There are no fires near us @AustraliaZoo or our conservation properties. Our Wildlife Hospital is busier than ever though, having officially treated over 90,000 patients. My parents dedicated our Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital to my beautiful grandmother. We will continue to honour her by being Wildlife Warriors and saving as many lives as we can. 💙🙏🏼

A post shared by Bindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin) on Jan 2, 2020 at 2:07am PST

I am totally devastated watching what is happening in Australia right now with the horrific bushfires. I am pledging a donation of $500,000 directly to the local fire services that are battling so hard on the frontlines. My heart goes out to our friends and family in Oz ❤️ pic.twitter.com/kyjDbhoXpp

— P!nk (@Pink) January 4, 2020

We hope Australia will receive the help needed to go through the crisis and pray for Australia and all the lives in danger.

Info via The New York Times