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Dozens Of Dead Kangaroos Spotted On Australian Beach After Bushfire

Dozens Of Dead Kangaroos Spotted On Australian Beach After Bushfire

Dozens of dead kangaroos litter the beaches of Bribie Island in Australia. It's thought they were trying to escape bushfires in the area.

Mischa Pearlmen

Mischa Pearlmen

WARNING: CONTAINS DISTRESSING IMAGES

Dozens of kangaroos have died attempting to flee wild bushfires on Bribie Island in Australia. Devastating images show up to 40 kangaroo carcasses littering the shore, after pilots flying overhead noticed the dead animals.

One, who has the Twitter handle Whippy, tweeted: "Dead kangaroos all over Bribie Island, i flew over them, has anyone heard anything about it?"

He then followed up soon after with a second tweet, which read: "Talking with another pilot, apparently the bush fires on Bribie Island is the cause of the pile of dead kangaroos, it's a sad sight."

The distressing images show the corpses of the animals scattered along the shoreline between the island's Second and Fourth Lagoon. One of the most distressing images shows a dead mother with a joey, also dead, in her pouch.

The animals' bodies are strewn across the shoreline.
The animals' bodies are strewn across the shoreline.

Though it's unknown exactly how the kangaroos died, it's thought they were fleeing for the water after bushfires near Top Swamp and Ocean Beach campsite spread quickly due to high winds, and despite attempts by the Rural Fire Service to bring them under control with the use of a air tanker dumping water on the fire-ravaged areas.

A spokesperson for the Department of Environment and Science (DES) commented: "The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) has contained the fire in the northern section of Bribie Island.

"QPWS will continue to monitor the fire throughout the weekend to keep it contained. The cause of the fire will be investigated.

"Unfortunately, uncontrolled bushfires do claim the lives of native animals. DES will conduct an assessment of the impact to protected areas and native species."

It's thought the kangaroos died after fleeing bushfires.
It's thought the kangaroos died after fleeing bushfires.

Campers in the area were immediately evacuated from the region, but local wildlife hasn't been so lucky. Residents have been warned to contact the appropriate authorities to deal with injured wildlife.

A statement issued to those living in the area said: "If you come across a sick, injured or orphaned animal, please do not touch or attempt to help the animal yourself. Instead contact RSPCA on 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625) or your local wildlife carer."

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: World News, Animals, Australia

Mischa is a freelance journalist usually based in either New York or London. He has written for Kerrang!, Record Collector, NME, the New York Observer and FLOOD magazine, among others. Contact him at [email protected]