As we begin Week 4 of the SAVEM Deep Creek fire response, we are finding fewer injured animals, but those we do find have the worst injuries. These are animals who have gone into hiding since they were hurt very early in the fire timeline, now coming out seeking water and food. They are often emaciated, with maggot infested burn wounds. In this response we have seen very few fractured limbs – the most common injuries are burned feet, face and tail, respiratory injuries and sometimes blindness. Some have been lucky and escaped the flames – there are some quite large groups of healthy kangaroos on an just outside the fire perimeter. But animals don’t just “run away” from a fire. In the zero visibility of a fast moving, very hot fire, they panic, run into fences are are trapped, or run back into the fire.
Thanks to Caroline Horn, ABC Southern Fleurieu journalist, for raising awareness in her article published today:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-24/deep-creek-fire-wildlife-response-animals-south-australia/106334650
