Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Wildlife Catastrophe Caused by Australian Bushfires

Phil Mercer

   SYDNEY - More than 1 billion animals have been killed in bushfires in
   the Australian state of New South Wales, according to leading wildlife
   experts.

   Bushfires have had a terrible impact on Australia. Lives have been
   lost, thousands of homes destroyed and vast areas of land incinerated.
   The disaster has also had catastrophic consequences for animals. Images
   of badly burned koalas, Australia's famous furry marsupials, have come
   to define the severity of the fire emergency.

   The University of Sydney has estimated that more than 1 billion
   mammals, birds and reptiles, as well as "hundreds of billions" of
   insects have died in the fires. Experts have warned that "for some
   species we are looking at imminent extinction."

   They also fear that animals that have survived the fires by fleeing or
   seeking safety underground will return to areas that will not have the
   food, water or shelter to support them.

.