There are real concerns entire species of plants and animals have been wiped out by fires that are raging through Australia.
It has recently been discovered that almost 500 million animals have died since the crisis began.
Ecologists from the University of Sydney now estimate 480 million mammals, birds and reptiles have been lost since September.
That figure is likely to soar following the devastating fires which have ripped through Victoria and the NSW South Coast.
Some incredible aerials (several from literally in space) of #AustraliaBurning #AUSFires #AustraliaBurns pic.twitter.com/3ymKb3bLfW
— Gabriel Schray (@schrayguy) January 3, 2020
Thousands of people have been left stranded, over a dozen dead, and thousands of homes have burned to the ground.
For perspective, the human population of the United States is 330,000,000 people.
Compared to the 480,000,000 which have died in the fires.
Heartbreaking footage of kangaroos fleeing has been captured in Monaro, NSW, as bushfires close in.
For more fire updates: https://t.co/m3qKpIZsu5 pic.twitter.com/Jo6MDtuygC
— news.com.au (@newscomauHQ) December 31, 2019
In southwest Australia, where the fires are burning out of control, some species are believed particularly vulnerable.
The Associated Press is reporting that at least 8,000 koalas have died as a direct result of the impenetrable smoke and flames.
https://twitter.com/SthlmNemo/status/1212819619045613572
BBC reports at least eight people have been killed, and more are missing.
Mandatory evacuations are forcing tens of thousands from their homes.
Read more about the crisis in this by the numbers breakdown:
Here is Australia's brushfire situation broken down by the numbers#Animals #AUSFires #Australia #AustraliaBurns #AustraliaFires #Crisis #Ecosystem #Fire #Nature #News #Tragedy https://t.co/WaP5KmsHhN
— Midwest Sports Network (@MWSNsports) January 3, 2020
This article is comprised of information and media from the Associated Press, WSNV and Sydney News & Life. For more sports, news and entertainment, follow us on Twitter @MWSNsports or like our page on Facebook.
