The Black Summer bushfires left a devastating mark on Australia and on our wildlife.
A new bushfire training course is now being offered nationwide to prepare vets across the country to help wildlife in need.
Taronga Wildlife Hospital vet, Dr Larry Vogelnest, developed the specialist program.
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After 32 years of treating injured animals, and seeing the disastrous mark left by bushfires, he recognised the need for further training.
"It became very apparent early in 2020 that there was a need to build capacity among general practice vets and vet nurses to learn more about Australian wildlife and how to treat burns patients," Dr Vogelnest said.
It was in those very fires images of an injured koala went viral around the globe during the horror season.
The animal, named Lewis, became a global symbol of the Black Summer disaster, his injuries raising awareness around the need to care for our wildlife.
"Seeing burnt animals, seeing animals suffering is awful. It's just awful," Dr Vogelnest said.
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So far, $2 million has been put into the program and its development, with the course providing important first response information to ensure native animals are appropriately cared for and treated.
"When we have future fire events we know that many of our vets and vet nurses will be equipped to receive injured animals, treat them and make them better," Environment Minister Sussan Ley said.
More than 3200 veterinary staff have already accessed the program, including some from overseas.
"Even though it focuses on Australian species, the principles are the same," he said.
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The course is online and is free to access for all vets and vet nurses.
"It's wonderful to see that we've got this funding to really build our capacity as a nation to really care for our wildlife in a way they need to be cared for," Cameron Kerr, CEO of the Taronga Conservation Society, said.
