The fight or flight response of animals is in overdrive as they try to escape the Currowan bushfire, an East Lynne couple says.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Kevin and Lorita Clapson, WIRES volunteers, raise and care for orphaned joeys on their farm.
They said kangaroos were crashing into fences and hopping as fast as they could to avoid the flames and embers, and the firefront moved quickly.
"Their fight or flight response is in overdrive," the couple said.
"These guys have got serious smoke inhalation and burnt feet ... they (kangaroos) just collapse.
"Water is their prime objective, but we've been in drought - there's no water in the creeks or dams."
They asked to leave water outside and place a stick or rock inside a bucket so smaller animals could climb out.
On Wednesday, the pair was focusing on healing orphaned joeys they had raised and released, and had returned to the farm during the fire.
Seven out of the 10 joeys they released last year had returned with "quite badly burnt feet", including Baldwin, who was spotted by police at East Lynne.
Sadly, not all animals could be rescued.
Mr Clapson said he had the task of euthanasing some animals that couldn't be saved.
"When I see them in that much agony, it's a kind act," he said.
"We're trying to rescue as many as we can."
On their farm, a 30m x 30m x 30m kangaroo compound burnt down but the joey nursery was saved by firefighters.
"Thank God for the firemen," the couple said.
Mrs Clapson said to help by leaving out kangaroo pellets if there was no grass on the property.
"If you've got any wild animals that come to your place regularly, leave food out - because there's no bush anymore for them to eat," she said.
"But water is really essential."
She said to wrap up burnt parts straight away with any wet dressing and call WIRES or take them to the nearest vet.
To donate to the WIRES branch near the Currowan fire, visit www.wires.org.au stipulating Mid South Coast Branch.
Advice from WIRES
- Leave out bowls of water for animals and birds escaping fires - use shallow bowls with a few sticks or stones on one side to allow smaller animals to escape should they fall in.
- Please keep cats indoors and dogs under control so that wildlife can flee safely through backyards and properties.
- Keep a cardboard box and towel in the boot of your car in case you find an injured animal so you can safely contain it without putting yourself in any danger.
- If the animal has been burnt, do not attempt to feed it, just wrap it loosely, ideally in a towel or cotton fabric, place it in a ventilated box with a lid and keep it in a dark, quiet place and wait for a rescuer or for transport to the nearest vet.
- If you can safely take an injured animal to your nearest vet please do so, as it will require an urgent assessment. Please also call WIRES on 1300 094 737 so we can follow up with vet and take the animal into care for rehabilitation.
- Please do not approach injured snakes, flying-foxes, large macropod (adult roos or wombats), raptors (eagles or hawks) or monitors (goannas) as these species must be rescued by trained specialists - please call WIRES for rescue assistance on 1300 094 737.
- If you have a swimming pool in the bushfire area pleas drape something over the edge of the pool so that animals have a surface to grab hold of and climb out such as heavy duty rope or a piece of timber secured at one end to something heavy outside the pool. Pool steps can also prove a hazard as can be too high for smaller animals to get out so placing a few bricks bricks or large stones to the side of each step will allow them to get a foothold. If possible check your pool twice daily including the skimmer box. If you do find any animal trapped call WIRES immediately on 1300 094 737 for advice.
- You can also assist WIRES in its mission to rescue and rehabilitate bushfire affected native animals by donating to the WIRES Emergency Fund at https://wires.org.au/donate/emergency-fund all gifts $2 and over are tax-deductible.
READ MORE