Renee's+group

Affected animals and land By Renee, Ashling, Kaitlyn and Carlee  **Victorian Map of effected Bushfire area** This is a map of the effected areas by the 2009 Black Saturday Victorian bushfires. It also shows SOME of the animals effected in some areas.

<span style="font-size: 80%; line-height: 115%; font-family: Century Gothic; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS Mincho'; msofareastfontfamily: 'MS Mincho'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; msofareastthemefont: minor-fareast; msobidithemefont: minor-bidi; msoansilanguage: EN-AU; msofareastlanguage: JA; msobidilanguage: AR-SA;"> These are SOME of the many animals that were affected by the bushfires. The number next to them are found on the map where some of the species was affected.

** 1. Kinglake: ** Leadbeaters Possum **2. Bunyip:** Sooty Owl **4. Churchill:** Koala Things about the Map: North is up, Scale is Unknown and Source is in Bibliography.
 * [[image:http://docs.google.com/File?id=dd6k473s_4k7gsfjhm_b width="105" height="135"]] 3. Wilsons Prom: ** The Australian Ground Parrot

How did the animals of the Victorian bushfires get hurt and how did they die from just the bushfires? The animals of the Victorian 2009 Black Saturday bushfires were injured due to the flames and heat. They were either burned to death, badly burnt, hairs incinerated, or burnt by the sheer heat of the fires. Vets and animals aids from around Victoria have been taking in found animals that are injured and raising money to help get enough supplies to heal them. Some of these organisations helping are he RSPCA, Melbourne Zoo, Werribee National park and Healesville Sanctuary. How can we help?  We can help by donating money to some of these organisations helping these poor, suffering animals to get through their hard times.

= THE LORAX  = media type="custom" key="4243387" width="240" height="217" This is a video about the Lorax and his story. You may want to watch this to fully understand the next piece of writing.

Have you heard of the Lorax? I think you have not, He is a Dr. Seuss character who speaks for the trees a lot. As you may know, the Victorian 2009 bushfires destroyed everything So if the Lorax was to appear this is what he would sing:  “I am the Victorian Lorax and I speak for the trees I must tell you something so listen to these: Animals have been affected, trees burned to the ground, Losses of homes, nothing to be found, You can’t start to imagine the underground animals who Have woken up to find everything new, Blackened land plays a part in this Having food, water and more they’ll miss So it's not suprising that the most effected animals were Kangaroos that couldn't outrun there fur And the wombats who were pushed out of there holes by ferrel cats How could animals do things like that? So I suggest too avoid things like this happening again We put power lines underground (did I mention that then?) Because that was something that caused the fires to start Lightning hit and bam! Fire like art, Not to mention the arson that seemed to strike a lot Causing things to get worse then it had already got, So police needed to follow him like paper and glue So I suggest that’s what should happen if another strikes to We also should do our part to look after animals more Like a little bit of everything forming a core We can save as many animals as we can And look after them like we look after man Something you can do to help is give Whatever you can to help those injured animals live So support those helping: the vets and more To give these animals get a chance through their sores"

__Information from the Healesville Sanctuary. __  · Healesville Sanctuary Information v Our Thoughts  · There was a little echidna with burns to his back. The vet had to give him a general anaesthetic because the burns were so bad that they couldn't treat them while he was awake. They had to shave his back and clip the quills, but the other quills got in the way of the bandage and if they stuck a bandage onto his skin, he could roll up in a ball and the bandage would come off. The Vets invented a paste that contained the burns lotion, but it also was flexible and would come off if the echidna moved around. <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #ff6699; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #66ff33; font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msobidifontsize: 14.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">v <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Some of the animals were so badly hurt that the vets and doctors, had to invent some things to help(the paste).

<span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-size: 10.5pt; color: yellow; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">400,000 hectares was burnt and millions of animals will have died. We only saw those who were strong enough to just survive: the vets saw kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, Blue-tongued Lizards, echidnas, a Greater Glider, different kinds of possums, bats, koalas and other species. They didn't see any frogs and only a couple of birds. Many local people saw large numbers of birds flying away from the fire fronts - so they were probably the most successful animal at escaping the fires. We worry about the frogs and the smallest possums. <span style="font-size: 14pt; color: yellow; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #66ff33; font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">v <span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Wow! So many animals that they tried to save. Could you imagine being a bird? Trying to fly, with a fire on the back of your tail? I know I’d be scared! And for the frogs, what happened to them? If you didn’t know, Frogs can’t do anything if they have lost their moist. So if the heat of the fires absorbs the water inside a frog, how is he supposed to hop/run away? Healesville Sanctuary don’t know what has happened to the frogs, Scary, isn’t it? <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 14.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-size: 10.5pt; color: #66ff33; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Leadbeaters Possum (LBP) - extremely rare. There used to be two colonies of these endangered animals and now there is only one, with 8 animals remaining in the other. The Friends of the Leadbeaters Possum group found one little LBP in a partly melted nest box in the Lake Mountain site - how he survived, we don't know, But he is better now and has been released. We have had to help by putting out the right kind of food for him because there was nothing left of his habitat - no food at all. <span style="font-size: 16pt; color: #66ff33; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 16pt; color: #66ff33; font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msobidifontsize: 14.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">v <span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> There are only 8 animals left in care at Healesville Sanctuary. That’s pretty good going considering that they had so many animals going into them during February Bushfires, that they had to call other Vets, Animal Shelters and Zoos that could take in the animals, and ask them to collect some of the animals and take care of them because they didn’t have enough room. On the bad hand, Some of those animals may not have gotten into Healesville for a while now and could be very sick. Some other animals may still be out there looking for food, some so hungry that they could die from starvation, although, unfortunately, some already have. <span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-size: 10.5pt; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';"> The vets dealt with about 200 animals and at one stage they were treating 60 animals in the AWHC. We still have a few animals still recovering - but most of them are with lots of different wildlife carers. <span style="font-size: 10.5pt; color: #66ff33; font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">v <span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';">200 animals at one stage! Wow. Only a few left. Well that’s a good sign.

<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-size: 10.5pt; color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';"> 4) What were some of the challenges you faced in saving the wildlife affected by the fires? Not enough people, time and space. We also felt very upset at the awful injuries and knowing that there were probably more animals that needed help but who weren't found. AND finding out that some people were feeding remaining animals food that could make them so sick, they could die, or is so full of weed seeds that the bush won't grow back, but awful weeds will instead. That's very frustrating. <span style="font-size: 10.5pt; color: #66ff33; font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">v  <span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';">Yes, Very frustrating indeed. Especially knowing that not all the animals were saved. And knowing that people feed the animals weed and other poisonous plants, that could make the die. I think that everyone should take note of this, and instead of feeding them plants and food, feed them water and call a place that can help. Eg Healesville Sanctuary, RSPCA, Melbourne Zoo. Ect.

<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-size: 10.5pt; color: #ffc000; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';"> 5) What has happened to all the animals after they have recovered? All those who have some habitat regenerating have been released. Some of the animals will be in care for 6 months because there is nowhere for them to live and we have to wait for the bush to grow back where it can. <span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS Mincho'; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">6-months, they have to stay in care. And imagine what it would be like when they got out. They will have to find their own food, friends and home. Now the food and habitat is just given to them. So how will they survive?

__Information from the RSPCA!__

<span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">All native animals that lived in the fire regions have been affected. It is hard to gauge which ones were affected the most as different areas have slightly different animals living there. The animals that we saw the most were Kangaroos, Wallabies, Wombats, echidnas, possums and lyrebirds. In other regions that we went to we also had to deal with Koalas. <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We dealt with thousands of animals immediately after the fires. We had teams of people either working directly in the fire affected areas or dealing with animals being brought to our shelters. This included various types of wildlife, dogs, cats, horses, cows, sheep, goats, alpacas and poultry. <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">For wildlife, it is important to have these animals taken back as close as possible to their native environment, and the injured or orphaned native animals are all handed on to volunteer wildlife carers who are expert in looking after them. Again it is difficult to know numbers. We still have 6 cats and 8 dogs that we are housing for people who are unable to care for their animals at the moment. <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The biggest challenge was getting into the areas to find the animals. In the first few days of the fires we were not allowed to enter these areas due to the danger to human life. In many areas the ground was also either still on fire or too dangerous to walk on. Another large problem was catching the wildlife to treat them. Even though badly injured, a wild animal is still wary of humans and will try to get away. <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">With native animals, a large number of the baby orphaned animals will be in wildlife shelters for at least 12 months - depending on the type of animal. Even though they are well, they will need to be kept until they are big enough to be released back into the wild. Those well enough and old enough to be on their own, have been released back into suitable areas. Some will always remain in care due to their injuries but are well enough to be free during the day to roam and feed. These animals are brought back in to shelters in the evening to keep them safe. For domestic animals, they are either back with their owners or have found new homes if they have not been claimed. A lot of animals in the regions were not micro chipped, or were born just after the fires and did not have anyone looking for them. We have made sure these animals received all the proper vet care and we were able to find new homes for all of them. The RSPCA is still providing support to communities for their animals. Separate to our initial assistance in the fires, we have provided grants for animal assistance. Up to today we have helped feed, provided vet assistance, provided shelter or provided wildlife supplies for over 9,000 animals in Victoria. <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #7fff3f; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #3366ff; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica-Bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Which species of native animals were affected the most by the fires? **
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #3366ff; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica-Bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Approximately how many animals did you deal with immediately after the **
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #3366ff; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica-Bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">fires? **
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #3366ff; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica-Bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">How many are in your care now? **
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #3366ff; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica-Bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What were some of the challenges you faced in saving the wild-life affected **
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #3366ff; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica-Bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">by the fires? **
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #3366ff; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica-Bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What has happened to the animals after they have recovered? **

LAND! media type="youtube" key="7PWr7x7zPiQ" height="344" width="425" Watch this video about how the land was destroyed in certain places during the Black Saturday Victorian bushfires in Febuary 2009. Imagine how many animals could have been caught in the fires. Luckily, most of the animals in the bushy type of land escaped by running to a waterhole or in a wombat hole. See how the animals have suffered. <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"> __Land affected by the fires.__ Most of the fires were started by the heat of the sun but some were deliberately lit. The land was damaged thoroughly. It was burnt until it was so black that it could burn no more. The trees were burnt so badly that they died. The fires occurred in Kinglake, Marysville, Wilsons prom, Bendigo, West Gippsland, Beechworth and more. They mostly occurred in Kinglake and Marysville but that doesn’t mean that it will happen again there next year. I’m sure you have all heard warnings that the fires will come back next year, but worse. So protect your house, land and animals. You might ask, ‘Why protect the land?’ But think about it, More than 4400km2 (1700 sq miles) of land was burned. Sure your house may be gone, but that can be rebuilt. If the land goes, the animals have nowhere to go and it ruins the ozone layer. Background. A week before the fires, an exeptional heat wave affected the south-eastern Australia. From 28-30 January, Melbourne Broke records by three boiling day over an amazing 43 C (109 F). We also broke the city's history of the third hottest day with a record of 45.1 C (113.2 F). During the fires, 2,200 houses were destroyed, as well as, 3,500 structures aswell; along with many lifes and homes. 7,500 people were left homeless, with a broken heart and bones. It is sad to think that some of the fires were started by cigarette buts, they were mostly started by power lines clashing, or were deliberately lit. More than 4,00 fire fighters work on the day of 'Black Saturday. '


 * **<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';">Where ** || **<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';">How Started ** || **<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';">Damaged land(ha) ** ||
 * Kinglake-Marysville || <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">High Winds. Spark at a pine plantation. <span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';"> || 330000ha ||
 * Beechworth || <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Started at the South, hot winds drove it to the North <span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';"> || 30000ha ||
 * Bendigo || Heat/Sun || 500ha ||
 * Redesdale || Heat/Sun || 10000ha ||
 * West Gippsland || Pine plantation. Spread || 81,200ha ||
 * Dandenong Ranges || <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Sparks from a power tool. <span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';"> || <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">2ha-on the railway. <span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';">  ||
 * Wilsons Prom || Lightning || 11,000 ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Maroondah/Yarra complex <span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';"> || Heat/Sun. Spread. || 505 ||
 * Horsham || <span style="font-size: 110%; color: #ff6699; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; msobidifontsize: 16.0pt;">Strong winds felled a power pole. Headed SW, then SE || 5,700 ||
 * Coleraine || Powerlines clashed and sparked || 770 ||
 * Weerite || Sparking felled power lines. || 1,30 0 ||

Information from the RSPCA!

__ <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"> ANIMALS! __

<span style="font-size: 120%; color: #820dd9; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; msobidifontsize: 14.0pt;">media type="youtube" key="EyA7lJI_gF8" height="344" width="425" ** Here is a video on Sam the koala and how he survived the fires. Veiw this video on youtube by following this link ** [|**http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyA7lJI_gF8**]

<span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 14.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· Koala <span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 14.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· Affected Animals. <span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 14.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· Scooty Owl <span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 14.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· Wombat <span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 14.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· The RSPCA

<span style="font-size: 8pt; color: black; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; text-decoration: none;">
 * __ Koalas __**
 * __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;">Size/weight: __**<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;"> the koala can grow to about 70-90cm. Their weight varies from about 5kg to 14kg. [[image:http://www.koala.net/media/koala%20mums.jpg width="233" height="297" align="right"]]
 * __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;">Diet: __**<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;"> Koala’s feed on eucalyptus leaves and don’t drink much water because there water is found in the leaves of the gum tree.
 * __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;">Name: __**<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;"> the word “Koala” comes from an aboriginal name meaning no drink.
 * __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;">Life span: __**<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;">
 * __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;">Habitat/distribution: __**<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;"> koalas can be found in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia but are most commonly found in Victoria.
 * __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;">Main affect from the bushfires: __**<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;"> The most common injuries for the Koala’s were smoke inhalation, burns on their feet and faces, dehydration and starvation.
 * __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;">Number of species lost: __**<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;"> before the fires koalas were not on the endangered species list for Victoria but sadly have now have made their way onto the list. Before the fires there were about 100,000 koalas in Australia but now there are only 80,000 left.


 * __ Wombats __**
 * __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #99ff66; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';">Size/weight: __**<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #99ff66; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';"> Wombats usually weigh about 35kg and grow to about 34cm tall and 99cm long. [[image:http://www.shamozzle.com/Pic5NigelsAnimalRescueinjuredWombatWildlifeSavedVictorianBushfires2009Photo.jpg width="226" height="215" align="right" caption="An injured wombat gets treatment"]]
 * __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #99ff66; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';">Diet: __**<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #99ff66; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';"> The wombats' main food supply is native grasses; they also eat sedges, matrushes and the roots of shrubs and trees. Wombats mainly forage at night because they are nocturnal.
 * __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #99ff66; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';">Name: __**<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #99ff66; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';"> The name //wombat// comes from the Eora Aboriginal community
 * __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #99ff66; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';">Life span: __**<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #99ff66; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';"> wombats live about 5 years.
 * __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #99ff66; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';">Habitat/distribution: __**<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #99ff66; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';"> wombats live all around Australia but most commonly found in South Australia. Wombat lives in burrows around scrubbed areas.
 * __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #99ff66; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';">Main affect from the bushfires: __**<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #99ff66; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif';"> the most common injury for the wombats was dehydration and starvation. Wombats didn’t get as many burns because they are nocturnal so most of them would have been asleep in there burrows.

<span style="font-size: 48pt; color: #7030a0; font-family: Broadway; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Sooty owl <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #7030a0; font-family: Broadway; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Size/weight: __**<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> the female sooty usually grows to about 37-43 cm and wieghs about 1kg. The male sooty owl is smaller and they usually to about 34-37cm and weigh up to 700gm.
 * __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Diet: __**<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> the sooty owl eats animals like mice and insects.
 * __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Name: __**<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> the sooty owls name came from there look as they are a dark dusty colour.
 * __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Life span: __**<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> sooty owls can usually live to about 9-12 years.
 * __Habitat/distribution:__** sooty owls are normally located from just north of Brisbane south along the coastline to Melbourne. Also found in a small, isolated area of north-eastern Queensland.
 * __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Main affect from the bushfires: __**<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the sooty owl was mainly affected from burns and their wings fusing together from the heat.

By Ashling__**
 * __Overveiw

The land on which the fires burned, Was damaged thoroughly. White ash surrounded the Smokey skies And the trees burnt horridly.

Animals quickly ran away From house or tree to lake While wombats slept in their burrows Only some of them, I say.

Victoria Wildlife Organisation, The RSPCA! Healesville Sanctuary, Melbourne’s Zoos. Saved a lot the animals, Hooray!

“Protect the animals,” The lorax would say. “Protect the trees and Land! The fires are coming, but worse, they may So get up and give a hand!

The Lead beater possum quickly ran far. When the heat struck its home When they returned, they hated to see, The trees soon turned into a dome.

Sam the koala, was such a big star, But don’t forget the rest. Koalas couldn’t bear the heat So quickly ran to the West. <span style="font-size: 50%; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS Mincho'; msofareastfontfamily: 'MS Mincho'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; msofareastthemefont: minor-fareast; msobidithemefont: minor-bidi; msoansilanguage: EN-AU; msofareastlanguage: JA; msobidilanguage: AR-SA;"> The Sooty Owl, tried to fly away,

But with heat so strong,

Couldn't seem to flap his wings

His strength could not last long.

<span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 8pt; color: red; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Internet Websites: <span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">RSPCA Victoria Bushfire Assistance.2008 RSPCA __RSPCA Victoria bushfire assistance__. [Internet] RSPCA. Available from:< <span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> [] > <span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> [4/8/09] <span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
 * BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR TASK! **

Preliminary Report: Impact of the 2009 Victorian bushfires on nature and wildlife. 2009. The Wilderness Society__. Preliminary Report: Impact of the 2009 Victorian bushfires on nature and wildlife.__ [Internet] The Wilderness Society. Available from: <[]> [12/8/09]

<span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The Tizona group (2009) word press. (2009) __The Tizona group__ [internet] available from: < []> [12/8/09] Australia’s koalas extinct within a decade? (2007) Prout. __Australia’s koalas extinct within a decade?__ [Internet] Prout. Available from: <[|http://www.worldproutassembly.org/archives/2007/04/australias_koal.html]>[14/08/09]

<span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: DE;">Koalas. (2007) Kidcyber. __Koalas__ [Internet] Prout. <span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Available from: <[|http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/koalas.htm> [14/08/09]] Leadbeater’s Possum. (2001) ZooNooz. __Leadbeater’s Possum__ [Internet] ZooNooz. Available from: <[|http://www.zoofriends.org.au/zoonooz/zoonooz_sep01_article1.html]> [14/08/09]

Daintree Birdwatching. (Year Unstated) Wild Watch Australia. __Daintree Birdwatching__ [Internet] Wild Watch Australia. Available from: <[|http://www.daintreebirdwatching.com.au/reports.html]> [14/08/09]

Karmic Koala getting rid of the brown!!! (2009) Shane Fagan’s Blog. __Karmic Koala getting rid of the brown!!!__ [Internet] Shane Fagan’s Blog. Available from: <[|http://shanefagan.wordpress.com/2009/02/22/karmic-koala-getting-rid-of-the-brown/]> [14/08/09] New Zealand Parrots wreak havoc at bird sanctuary. (2008) City Parrots. __New Zealand Parrots wreak havoc at bird sanctuary__. [Internet] City parrots. Available from: <[|http://cityparrots.org/index.php/P32/]>[14/08/09] The Tizona Group (2009) The Tizona Group. __The Tizona Group__ [Internet] The Tizona Group. Available from: < [|http://tizona.wordpress.com/2009/02/10//photo-here-you-go-mate-hope-from-the-ashes/]> [14/08/09] AirWorldWide. (2009) Fire Down Under: The Black Saturday Fires. [Internet] __AirWorldWide.__ Available from: <[]> [18/8/09]

Wikipedia. (2009) Black Saturday Bushfires. [Internet]__Wikipedia__ Available from: <[]> [18/8/09] <span style="font-size: 8pt; color: #1f497d; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Help save a Leadbeater’s Possum.(Year Unstated) Their future is in our hands. [Internet] __Help save a Leadbeater’s Possum.__ Available from: <[]>[18/8/09] Birds: Scooty Owl. (Year Unstated) Lamington National Park. [Internet]__Birds: Scooty Owl.__ Available from: < []> [19/08/09]

<span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-size: 8pt; color: red; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You tube and pics: <span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">xioeyxSydneyGirl 2007. Australian Bushfires. Avalabile From: < <span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontsize: 11.0pt;">[] <span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">> [5/8/09] <span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> Gottaliv (2009) Sam the koala- meets her survivor. [Online] available from: < []> [12/8/09]

<span style="font-size: 12px; color: #eb5e14; line-height: 115%; font-family: century gothic; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS Mincho'; msofareastfontfamily: 'MS Mincho'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; msofareastthemefont: minor-fareast; msobidithemefont: minor-bidi; msoansilanguage: EN-AU; msofareastlanguage: JA; msobidilanguage: AR-SA;"> **We are very thankful to those who helped fight the fires and those who helped others who had lost everything especially the RSPCA and Healesville Sanctuary, who helped us with the information. And to those who have satrted the fires by either cigarette buts, tools, or deliberately lit, well I hope you know what you are doing, and how many hearts you have broken. But don't think that you will get away with it, because there are more of us than their are of you.** Ashling, Renee, Kaitlyn and Carlee.