IFAW bushfire response in Australia

14 November 2023

IFAW x UniSC koala detection dog has been deployed to search for koala survivors, and IFAW is joining black walks in the hope of finding surviving wildlife in fire-impacted areas. Bear, who found more than 100 koala survivors in the wake of the Black Summer bushfires, will be vital to finding injured koalas in these devastated landscapes. Trained by IFAW and the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Detection Dogs for Conservation team, Bear is one of the few detection dogs who can locate live koalas through the scent of their fur. 

IFAW animal rescue officer Rob Leach has been in the field with Bear, Wildcare Australia, and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary searching for surviving wildlife in Queensland and will visit several other impacted areas in the coming weeks to continue the search. The team found five koalas that are being monitored and will be taken to Currumbin Wildlife Hospital if needed.

He is also facilitating critical training workshops to several wildlife and emergency response agencies in key areas. This training will build local government and non-government capacity to respond to wildlife emergencies in the Darling Downs and Scenic Rim regions of Queensland and the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. We will remain in contact with government agencies, partners, wildlife groups, and carers as the fires continue to burn and will offer assistance however possible.Wildlife groups and carers can use our Emergency Evacuation Planning Kit to plan the safe evacuation of themselves and the animals in their care.

The free IFAW Wildlife Rescue App is also available for anyone who finds injured or displaced wildlife. It will put the user in touch with their nearest wildlife rescue group.

We will continue to update this page with more information about our bushfire response.