Wildlife and fire

Fire is a natural part of many Australian ecosystems

KoalaMtBarneyMiniHowever, fires that are too frequent or unusually severe or expensive can have devastating effects. 2019 was the worst year ever recorded for severity and extent of fires in Australia, including the Scenic Rim

Those that survive the fire itself may find themselves short of food and shelter, and some may need a helping hand for a little while, for both conservation and animal welfare reasons. In trying to help the most vulnerable, spicily the tiny ones that can’t travel far to find new resources, we need to ensure we don’t help their predators and competitors even more: find some advice here: feeding wildlife after fire (pdf).

Continuing assistance is then needed in protecting and restoring habitat, and good monitoring so we know what is working and what additional effort may be needed

According to The Conversation 20 May 2020 these are some of the species most threatened by fire and needing urgent attention for recovery, and that live in the Scenic Rim. Percentages are Australia-wide.

  • Hastings River mouse >50% habitat burned in 2019Glossy Black Cockatoo
  • Yellow-bellied glider >50% habitat burned in 2019
  • Greater glider
  • Brush-tailed rock-wallaby >50% habitat burned in 2019
  • Long-nosed potoroo
  • Spotted-tail quoll
  • New Holland mouse, Pookila
  • Mainland dusky antechinus
  • Grey-headed flying-fox
  • Golden-tipped bat
  • Platypus
  • Rufous scrub-bird 50% habitat burned in 2019
  • Eastern bristlebird
  • Albert’s lyrebird
  • Black-faced monarch
  • South-eastern glossy black-cockatoo 45% habitat burned in 2019

    Brush-tailed rock wallaby

    Brush-tailed rock wallaby

  • Red-browed treecreeper 45% habitat burned in 2019
  • Rainforest cool-skink Harrisoniascincus zia 45% habitat burned  in 2019
  • Three-toed snake-tooth skink Coeranoscincus reticulatus
  • Mountain frog Philoria kundagungan >50% habitat burned   in 2019
  • Giant Barred Frog Mixophyes iteratus
  • Fleay’s Frog Mixophyes fleayi

Click here for the full list of Australian species needing most urgent attention