7NEWS
7NEWS7NEWS
NewsChevron Right IconBushfires

NSW bushfires: Professor warns NSW bushfires will have terrifying impact on Australian wildlife

Abi Moustafa
7NEWS
A new study by University of Sydney estimates 480 million wildlife in Australia could be affected by NSW bushfires.
A new study by University of Sydney estimates 480 million wildlife in Australia could be affected by NSW bushfires. Credit: AAP, GETTY IMAGES

As Australia battles the ongoing bushfire crisis, with catastrophic blazes burning in both NSW and Victoria, ecologists have warned the nation's wildlife is in jeopardy.

Based on a study undertaken by the University of Sydney, an estimated 480 million mammals, birds and reptiles have been affected by the NSW fires alone since September.

Speaking to 7NEWS.com.au, researcher Professor Chris Dickman, revealed that Australians should be concerned about our native mammals.

"Approximately 480 million have been affected in New South Wales," he explained.

"That's not to say that the 480 million have all died as a consequence of the fires because some things are going to be mobile - birds will fly away and come back.

"Some reptiles, like lizards, would perhaps go underground."

Chevron Right Icon

'Approximately 480 million have been affected in New South Wales.'

"We know from working in different areas that when a fire goes through, foxes and cats are pretty mobile - they can move into the burned area.

"There is a likely effect of feral animals, particularly the red fox and cats, so even if mammals, birds or reptiles had managed to escape flames, there's a chance they could be eaten."

What will happen next?

The professor highlighted that rebuilding Australian wildlife populations will be a long-term issue.

"There are a lot of people out there helping by going into areas that have been burned to look for koalas and any other native wildlife has been affected," he explained.

More from 7NEWS.com.au on the bushfire crisis:

"In the longer term, the rebuilding of populations of many native species is going to be the issue.

"A lot will have been undoubtedly very badly affected by these fires."

In the video below, hundreds of exotic animals saved from deadly fires

Zookeepers have saved hundreds of animals at Mogo wildlife park in New South Wales after it was threatened by bushfires

Zookeepers have saved hundreds of animals at Mogo wildlife park in New South Wales after it was threatened by bushfires