As fires continue to rip through Australia, some devastating numbers are emerging: At least 24 people killed. More than 15.6 million acres torched. Over 1,400 homes destroyed. And, according to one biodiversity expert’s count, an estimated 480 million animals killed.
This photo of a charred baby kangaroo stuck to a wire fence in Adelaide Hills went viral and showed the grim reality of what the bushfires were affecting the country. The image was shared by Brad Fleet, a photographer at The Advertiser, left everyone heartbroken, teary-eyed, sad, and helpless. Photograph: Bradfleet/Instagram
Female koala Anwen recovers from burns at The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie, Australia. Volunteers from the Koala Hospital have been working alongside National Parks and Wildlife Service crews searching for koalas following weeks of devastating bushfires across New South Wales and Queensland. Koalas rescued from fire grounds have been brought back to the hospital for treatment. Photograph: Nathan Edwards/Getty Images
A Joey is separated from its dead mother is pictured on a burnt out section of Torrington in Glen Innes, Australia. Photograph: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images
A dead Australian native bird is seen washed up amongst ash and fire debris on Boydtown Beach near the Nullica River in Eden, Australia. Photograph: Tracey Nearmy/Reuters
Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Services volunteer and carer Tracy Burgess holds a severely burnt brushtail possum rescued from fires near Australia’s Blue Mountains. Photograph: Jill Gralow/Reuters
Butterfly wings lay on the driveway of Cobargo resident Belinda Shea’s destroyed home in Cobargo, Australia. Photograph: Tracey Nearmy/Reuters
Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Services volunteer and carer Tracy Dodd holds a kangaroo with burnt feet pads after being rescued from bushfires in Australia's Blue Mountains area. Photograph: Jill Gralow/Reuters
A dead Australian native bird is seen on ashes on the ground near Eden, Australia. Photograph: Tracey Nearmy/Reuters
An injured horse is given painkiller in a shared paddock at the evacuation centre in Cobargo, as bushfires continue in New South Wales, Australia. Photograph: Tracey Nearmy/Reuters
Animals are seen in Cobargo, as bushfires continue in New South Wales, Australia. Photograph: Tracey Nearmy/Reuters
A dead wallaby pictured in the Wingello State Forest in Wingello, Australia. Army Reserve forces and other specialist capabilities have been called in to help with firefighting efforts across Australia, along with extra Defence ships and helicopters. Photograph: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images
Thick smoke fills the air as cattle feed in paddocks outside Cann River, Australia. Photograph: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
Edited by Roshneesh K'Maneck