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//"It was only when ash started to fall like black confetti and the sun above, obscured by smoke, turned the colour of a red-hot ball-bearing that the threat seemed real.”// Geoff Strong


 * Map Of The Fire Affected Areas **

Source:[]media type="custom" key="4241689" Key = Fire affected area

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Bushfires are a natural part of Victoria’s environment, and actually help the sustainability of the state’s ecosystems. However, bushfires usually destroy any town they move through, with varying levels of devastation. Native animals are heavily affected, many of them dying, as well as their entire habitat disappearing. Sometimes bushfires are more destructive than others. Black Saturday was one of these disastrous bushfires. ======

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In November and December 2008, a great deal of wet weather meant growth of numerous plants. But by late January 2009, most of this growth had dried out, leaving kindling for bushfires all over the state. Places that were badly affected in the fires such as Kinglake were so vulnerable because of this. This was due to the extreme heat, having three consecutive days in January that had a maximum temperature of 43˚C. Extremely hot weather had been forecast for the 7th of February, and the whole state had been told of a risk of fire. However the weather of February 7th was worse than forecast. Melbourne experienced its hottest day since records began 154 years ago, with a record temperature of 46.4˚C. ======

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The fires, started mostly by arsonists, were mostly lit on private property, and then spread to public land. The bushfires would have been stopped before they had done too much damage as their paths were predictable and the CFA (Country Fire Association) would have been prepared to face them. But at 3:00 p.m., the winds changed. The 100km/h winds pushed the fires off their trail, and the fires moved much faster than anticipated. Many towns that thought they were safe were suddenly in danger, and the lives of people were now at risk. For many people it was too late to flee, and the ones who did had a small chance of survival. By 9:30 p.m. on February 7th, 84 people were confirmed dead, not to mention all the animals who had perished as they tried in vain to escape the ferocious bushfires. ======

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When the last Black Saturday fires were extinguished on March 6th, the destruction found around the state was overwhelming. Entire towns had disappeared, and humans and animals alike had suffered great losses of lives. Many more lay injured and helpless. These bushfires were the worst our state has ever seen, and perhaps the worst we will see for a long time. ======

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The Ground Parrot is a small green and yellow bird that is endangered in Victoria and threatened or endangered around parts of Australia. It grows to about 30cm long and it is one of four ground dwelling parrot species in the world. When it is disturbed, it flies just above ground and then drops back to the ground again. This bird has a very distinctive call given at dawn and dusk and has a diet that mostly consist of seeds.The ground parrot lives mainly in heathland, sedgeland and button grass plains and in Victoria, they live only in the limited heathland areas we have that have not been destroyed by bushfires. There are basicaly two types of Ground Parrots. There are the Western Ground parrot and the picture on the left is an example of one and the eastern ground parrot which is lighter green in comparison. The Western Ground Parrot is listed as endangered federally and the eastern ground Parrot is listed as vulnerable in NSW. Their main threats are: Frequent bushfires that destroy the ground parrot’s habitat and foxes and cats preying them. The bushfires wipe out their food and their homes and they're facing trouble as it is. On a better note, Ground Parrots may move from fires and fire affected areas but with the decrease of habitat for these birds, next time around, they won't have a habitat to go to. ======

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The leadbeater possum is approximately 10cm long in the body (not including tail), and an average of 90gms. Female leadbeater possums live for a few more years than the male with an average of 9 years as the male’s life expectancy is 7.5 years. Due to the possums being nocturnal they eat the sort of things that are available in the night. Their diet is omnivorous means that they eat many types of foods including animals and plants. They eat a range of saps and exudates, lerps, a large intake of arthropods which are found between loose bark of eucalyptus: spiders, crickets, beetles and cockroaches. Most of the Leadbeaters energy is made up by 80% plant intake. Sad to say but in 1939 the Leadbeater species was thought to be extinct after a set of awful bushfires. It wasn’t until 1961 near Marysville when there was a group of the possums found. Since then the population has risen slowly although the estimated total populations is less than 3000 left in the wild. The devastating bushfires (Black Saturday) earlier this year bought quite impact on us humans but even more the animals as it was really their home. 40 percent of the Leadbeater possums habitat has gone to the bushfires! The leadbeater possum has also lost all their food and water sorces. There is not yet a population estimated but many have been lost. The leadbeater possum lives in the Mountain Ash trees which are in Maryville, Healesville and Mount Baw Baw. It isn’t looking good for the Leadbeater possums because two out of three of the main places the possums where seen have been wiped out. ======

**THE BARRED GLAXIAS(one of the many hundreds of species threatened by the fires)**
 The Highly endangered species of fish the Barred Galaxias is a very special type of fish. It is an Apricot colour with black stripes streaming the down the sides of their bodies. The fish lives in small groups in around only a dozen locations East of Melbourne. The species has been thought to have only lived in the preferred habitat of slow deep flowing pools near riffles and cascades. The small fish breed during the months of August and September when the temperature begins to slowly rise. The eggs are laid under large boulders when water temperatures reach 2-3°C they lay around 500 eggs that are around 2.2mm in diameter. The fish is around 70mm-90mm but can get up to 150mm, For a very small fish its life expectancy is huge and it has been recorded that one fish lived to thirteen years. The small numbers of the fish are due to un-natural predators that have invaded waters but mostly it is because of the fires destroying a significant amount of their habitats. In the near future it is predicted that their species will soon be wiped out. The Fires have not only burnt their habitats but they have also left embers and ash pollution in the water affecting the fish to an extraordinary extent. The Fish need protection and we have the power to help them. 



The bushfires have had such an impact on everything and because of this there has been lots of support needed. The people have needed and had mu ch support, but the animals have needed it just as much! There have been many people that have supported the bushfire affected animals over the year and it is nice to know that the majority of them were volunteers. Wildlife Victoria has been one of the main organisations that have assisted in the aftermath of the bushfires. The Wildlife Victoria volunteers have helped rescue the affected, taking care of the orphaned and rehabilitate the injured. There has been nesting boxes put out to try and get the reproduction starting again, water has been placed in the drier areas, new trees have been planted and the injured have been helped as much as they could be helped. Thanks to Wildlife Victoria one day everything will be back to normal and this will be all because of the wonderful people out there that really care. <span style="font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<span style="font-size: 150%; color: #ff3333; font-family: Broadway; msofareastfontfamily: 'MS Mincho'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msoansilanguage: EN-AU; msofareastthemefont: minor-fareast; msofareastlanguage: JA; msobidilanguage: AR-SA; msobidifontsize: 14.0pt;"> I am the Australian Lorax, I speak for gum trees, And the hurt endangered animals, Oh! How it angers me. These animals have been burnt, and some are no more, Black Saturday has caused all this injury and gore. They have no home, no family, and no food, Some people started bushfires and that was ever so rude. We need to protect our native Australian friends, All the damage caused; it will take so, so long to mend. People need to be taught and to learn The dangers of fire or for our animals you will yearn. Fire management needs to be readdressed, And when this is done only then will I rest. As the weather got hotter all the plants dried, Clearing this kindling would save many lives. <span style="font-size: 150%; color: #ff3333; font-family: Broadway; msofareastfontfamily: 'MS Mincho'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msoansilanguage: EN-AU; msofareastthemefont: minor-fareast; msofareastlanguage: JA; msobidilanguage: AR-SA; msobidifontsize: 14.0pt;">

<span style="color: rgb(255, 111, 0);">All those dry plants left just no escape For all those beings who left it too late. Sending out warnings to people around Would save all this tragedy and death that is found I would suggest that if an animal found you Don’t assume you know what to feed it, and give it water too Well done to the people who lent their support To help the poor animals they fought and they fought They were resourceful, and invented new stuff When curing animal’s injuries grew tough I am the Australian Lorax, and I beg you all please To help all our animals, plants and our trees Regenerating the environment will take some time Not helping our animals now would be such a crime

<span style="display: block; font-size: small; line-height: 19px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
** OUR QUESTION: NOW THAT THE BLACK SATURDAY FIRES ARE OVER WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE AFFECTED SPECIES AND THEIR ENVIRONMENTS? **

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The Black Saturday bushfires are the worst our country has seen, and the rehabilitation of the environment will take a long time. Millions of animals have died in these fires, and enormous amount of animals were taken to organisations that helped to care for them and nurse them back to health. Over three thousand animals have been taken into care and even more have been helped by food drops left in the neglected areas. Injuries to these animals included burns, smoke inhalation, dehydration and many are starving since the their vast eco-system has been wrecked. Vets have had to be flexible in the way that they treated animals, and had to quickly solve unforeseen problems. Animals are still coming in to vet months after the bushfires were extinguished. Most animals affected in the bushfires have recovered, but a lot of habitat has been destroyed so animals will stay in the care of the shelters that helped them, and wildlife carers. Many other animals have been released into certain areas which are at different stages of its environmental rehabilitation. The fires are good for the environment in the long term, as it helps to germinate plants and different species will begin to grow. However, many seeds have died and it will probably take a longer time to restore the environment because of this. Slowly, nutrients will be released back into the soil, and the plants will regenerate. The fires have changed the environment forever, and it will never be the same. The environment will continue to heal itself and eventually animals will be able to return to their rightful habitat. We need to prepare for the future, stay focused and make sure this devastating disaster never happens again.======

** Bibliography ** 1. Native Fish Australia. (26th February 2008). //Barred Galaxias.// [Online]. Native Fish Australia. Available from: < []> [accessed 5th August 2009] 2. Murray Darling Basin Commission. (2007). //Fish Factsheets.// [Online]. Murray Darling Basin Commission. Available from: < [] > [accessed 5th August 2009] <span style="msofareastfontfamily: Calibri; msobidifontfamily: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; msolist: Ignore;">3. Parks Victoria. (2009). //Wilsons// //Promontory National Park - Cathedral Fire February 2009.// [Online]. Parks Victoria. Available from: <[]> [Accessed 8th August 2009] <span style="msofareastfontfamily: Calibri; msobidifontfamily: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; msolist: Ignore;">4. Parks Victoria. (2009). //Yarra Ranges National Park.// [Online]. Parks Victoria. Available from: <[] > [Accessed 8th August 2009] <span style="msofareastfontfamily: Calibri; msobidifontfamily: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; msolist: Ignore;">5. Mex Cooper. (2009). //Lake Mountain needs bumper winter to bury the ashes.// [Online]. The Age. Available from: < [] > [Accessed 12th August 2009]. <span style="msofareastfontfamily: Calibri; msobidifontfamily: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; msolist: Ignore;">6. Foundation for Australia’s most endangered species - Fame. (2008). //Latest news.// [Online]. Fame inc. Available from: <[]> [Accessed 12th August 2009]. <span style="msofareastfontfamily: Calibri; msobidifontfamily: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; msolist: Ignore;">7. Dictionary.com. (2009). //Bushfire.// [Online]. Ask.com. Available from: <[]> [Accessed 13th August 2009]. <span style="msofareastfontfamily: Calibri; msobidifontfamily: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; msolist: Ignore;">8. Extel. (2009). //Western Ground Parrot.// [Online]. Extel. Available from: < [] > [Accessed 11th August 2009]. <span style="msofareastfontfamily: Calibri; msobidifontfamily: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; msolist: Ignore;">9. Department of Environment and Conservation. (2005). //Eastern Ground parrot Profile.// Department of Environment and Conservation. Available from: < [] >. [Accessed 5th August 2009]. <span style="msofareastfontfamily: Calibri; msobidifontfamily: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; msolist: Ignore;">10. Australian Museum. (2006). //Ground Parrot.// Australian Museum. Available from: < [] >. [Accessed 11th August 2009]. <span style="msofareastfontfamily: Calibri; msobidifontfamily: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; msolist: Ignore;">11. The Wilderness Society. (2009). //Preliminary report impact of 2009 Victorian Bushfires.// The Wilderness Society. Available from: < []> [Accessed 11th August 2009]. <span style="msofareastfontfamily: Calibri; msobidifontfamily: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; msolist: Ignore;">12. Department of Sustainability and environment. (2009). //Fires and other emergencies.// Department of Sustainability and environment. Available from: <[] > [Accessed 15th August 2009]. <span style="msofareastfontfamily: Calibri; msobidifontfamily: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; msolist: Ignore;">13. Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission. (2009). //Interim report.// State Government Of Victoria. Available from: <[]> [Accessed 18th August 2009] <span style="msofareastfontfamily: Calibri; msobidifontfamily: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; msolist: Ignore;">14. Murrindindi Shire Council. (2009). //DSE and Parks Victoria working hard to protect the Leadbeaters Possum.// Murrindindi Shire Council. Available from: <[]> [Accessed 19th August 2009] <span style="msofareastfontfamily: Calibri; msobidifontfamily: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; msolist: Ignore;">15. Australian Fauna.com. (2006). //Leadbeaters Possum//. Australian Fauna.com. Available from: <[]> [Accessed 5th August 2009] <span style="msofareastfontfamily: Calibri; msobidifontfamily: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; msolist: Ignore;">16. WWF and Chevon. (2009). //Leadbeaters Possum.// United Nations Environment Programme and World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Available from: <[]> [Accessed 13th August 2009] <span style="msofareastfontfamily: Calibri; msobidifontfamily: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; msolist: Ignore;">17. Wildlife Victoria. (2008). //Wildlife Victoria.// Wildlife Victoria. Available from: <[]> [Accessed 18th August] <span style="msofareastfontfamily: Calibri; msobidifontfamily: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; msolist: Ignore;">18. Wildlife Victoria. (2009). //Wildlife Survivors – Out of the Ashes.// [Online]. Available from Internet. <[]> [Accessed 15th August 2009] <span style="msofareastfontfamily: Calibri; msobidifontfamily: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; msolist: Ignore;">19. Wildlife Victoria. (21st august 2009). //Wildlife Victoria and the Bushfires.// Phone Interview. 9445 0310. Wildlife Victoria Office. <span style="msofareastfontfamily: Calibri; msobidifontfamily: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; msolist: Ignore;">20. George megalogenis and Julie-Anne Davies. (2009). Hell and it’s Fury. The Age. 9th, Feb. Page 1 and 3.
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