Federal government inject $50 million into treating wildlife

Thousands of animals have been killed and many more injured as bushfires raged through East Gippsland, but now money will be poured into preserving species and their habitats.

Zoos Victoria veterinarian staff have been granted permission to enter the bushfire zones to being the task of treating countless injured wildlife. Picture: Zoos Victoria

Wildlife and environmental groups will get a $50 million federal funding injection to help endangered species and ­restore habitats after the devastating fires.

Zoos Victoria is expected to be among the organisations in line for funding, to assist in treating injured wildlife and establishing “insurance populations’’ of critically endangered species.

Zoos Victoria staff have been providing veterinary support and wildlife triage at Mallacoota in East Gippsland. Picture: Zoos Victoria.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Environment Minister Sussan Ley will ask experts to decide the immediate priorities and have ­indicated further funding will be available.

The Threatened Species Commissioner is likely to chair the panel of experts.

The government has ­described the money as “a down payment to support the ­immediate work to protect wildlife, and work with scientists, ecologists, communities and land managers to plan the longer-term protection and restoration effort”.

A coalition of wildlife and environmental groups will ­determine what funding is needed immediately and what can go to longer-term projects such as restoring habitat.

MORE NEWS:

PRINCE WILLIAM’S HEARTACHE OVER MEGXIT CRISIS

HOLES, CRACKS UNCOVERED IN AGEING STATION PIER

GIVING BACK TO THE HOSPITAL THAT SAVED LOTTIE’S LIFE

Ms Ley will chair a series of round-tables bringing together government agencies, ­environmental and wildlife groups, scientists, farmers, communities, businesses and philanthropists.

The money will help ­rehabilitate injured wildlife, ­secure “insurance populations’’ of threatened species in the wild or in ­captivity, control feral animals and noxious weeds, and ­scientifically map the impact of the fires.

Ms Ley said the fires were “an ecological tragedy’’.