New report highlights need to work with nature to protect people from bushfires

The Wilderness Society (Victoria) Inc
Media Release
23 March 2009

Bushfires are emerging as a major threat to the survival of many critically vulnerable animals and forests following the Victorian bushfires, the Wilderness Society said today.

The call follows the release of a new interim report detailing the top five species and top six conservation areas significantly affected by the devastating Victorian bushfires. The Wilderness Society says it’s important to incorporate environmental learnings from the fires into strategies to mitigate future fires’ impact on life and property.

 “Many of Victoria’s unique forests and other natural areas have been extensively burnt and will be unrecognisable for many years to come,” said Richard Hughes, a bushfires researcher for the Wilderness Society.

“Due to their increasing frequency, scale and ferocity, fire can now be considered one of the most serious threats to nature in southern Australia,” he said.  “But we need healthy forests to tackle climate change and drought, and so look forward to the Victorian Government producing comprehensive strategies that work with nature to protect people.”

The tiny Leadbeater’s Possum leads the list of critically vulnerable species. Believed to be extinct for nearly 60 years, the petite possum is endemic to mountain ash forests of Victoria, a significant area of which has been burned with varying degrees of intensity.

“Wildlife carers and veterinarians have reported that few animals and birds made it out of the fires alive,” said Mr Hughes.  Other animals on the list include the Sooty Owl, Spotted Tree Frog, Ground Parrot and the small Barred Galaxias Fish.

Significantly impacted areas that have made the list include; Wilson’s Promontory, Yarra Valley National Park, Kinglake National Park, Cathedral Range, Lake Mountain Ski area and Keppel Falls and Lady Talbot Drive, Marysville.  The report details that colonies of koalas, unique rainforests and water catchments are also heavily affected.

The Wilderness Society is calling for a rethink of fire management in Victoria so that people, property, animals and plants do not face similar tragedies in the future.

“The rules we all understood about fire management have now changed and a new approach is necessary,” Mr. Hughes continued.

The Wilderness Society will be urging the Victoria Government to publish within a year a comprehensive report on the impact and risks of these fires on natural values, water, carbon, wildlife and endangered plants and animals.

Further Reading:

• Read article - "Preliminary Report: Impact of the 2009 Victorian bushfires on nature and wildlife" >>
  
• Download Report here >>
  (PDF - 1.7 MB)