Australia devastation: Bushfires bring ‘APOCALYPSE’ to Kangaroo Island
AUSTRALIA has found limited solace from the deadly wildfires which have streaked the country since late 2019, as rainfall hits drought-stricken New South Wales. As the fires start to abate in some regions, others have to deal with their “apocalyptic” consequences.
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Australia has just started to recover from a rash of deadly wildfires which have gripped the country since summer began in December 2019. The fires are far from over, however, as one of Australia’s most ecologically unique islands has nearly been reduced to a charred mass.
Kangaroo Island, a stunning natural reserve located off Adelaide’s southwest coast, is home to five natural parks and protected areas and includes populations of some of Australia’s most unique animals.
This year the island was put on alert for wildfires as two coursed across the area starting from January 3.
Experts fear they have since scorched half of the island, and issued evacuation notices for some areas.
Two people died, and some wildlife species may now be facing extinction.
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As the fires coursed over the island, the second largest in Australia, residents sought to save the animals.
Once authorities issued an evacuation warning for the island, most people fled, but five people stayed behind.
One of them was Sam Mitchell, who runs and resides in the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park with his wife and 19-month-old son.
He, along with four others and with help from the army, managed to save some of the island fauna.
Mr Mitchell told the BBC: “You can’t move 800 animals including water buffaloes, ostriches and cassowaries [an ostrich-like bird].
“We decided that if we can’t move them we’ll see if we can save them.
“We had the army helping us. Somehow, we were spared.
“It burnt right around us.”
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According to Caroline Paterson, who served as a ranger in Flinders Chase for eight years, the fires produced “apocalyptic” scenes.
She added: “We’re struggling to look for remnants of intact vegetation where some species may still be present.
“It’s a very special place. The island has been protected from a lot of diseases.
“The whole landscape was so important.”
As residents of Kangaroo island mourn the loss of its unique biodiversity, other Australians have a cause for celebration.
Drought-stricken regions of New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria hailed the arrival of rain this week.
Up to four inches fell around parts of NSW, with maximums of roughly five inches on Australia’s north coast.
Some places, namely Bundarra in the northern tablelands, received record-breaking rainfall and saw people run out into the streets in celebration.