Thousands of Livestock Affected by Australian Bushfires... "Risk of Disease Spread, Carcasses Must Be Disposed"

Australia's Massive Wildfires Continue for 4 Months Since Last September
Thousands of Livestock and Wildlife Dead
Minister of Water Resources Warns "Possible Disease Spread Among Animals and Plants"

Livestock Deaths Caused by Wildfires in Australia / Photo by Daily Mail UK Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] As the fire that broke out in southeastern Australia last September continues for the fourth month, there are calls to dispose of the carcasses of livestock that died due to the fire damage. It is pointed out that if the carcasses are not disposed of, diseases may spread and cause adverse effects.

According to foreign media including the UK Daily Mail on the 6th (local time), it is estimated that thousands of livestock such as sheep and cattle lost their lives in this wildfire. The media stated that the damage to livestock is expected to increase further.

David Littleproud, Minister for Water Resources, pointed out that disposing of livestock carcasses is an urgent task.

Minister Littleproud said, "There is a possibility that diseases could spread through animals and plants," adding, "To prevent this, we will work with state government agencies to take preemptive measures." He also added, "We need to think about how to restore native species severely damaged by the fire."

Bridget McKenzie, Minister for Agriculture, dispatched about 100 veterinarians to the states affected by the wildfire to diagnose and euthanize injured livestock.

Minister McKenzie raised concerns that damage to wildlife and livestock is increasing due to heat stress and smoke inhalation, which could lead to nationwide devastation of livestock herds. In an interview with local media, he said, "There is a need to arrive on site within a week to properly dispose of the carcasses."

Livestock Dead in Wildfires in Australia / Photo by Daily Mail UK Capture

Meanwhile, as of the 5th, according to media reports, the New South Wales (NSW) Rural Fire Service declared a state of emergency after more than 200 fires broke out across the state. On the 4th, Sydney's temperature reportedly soared to 50 degrees Celsius.

More than 200,000 households were damaged by the fire, and 24 deaths were reported. In addition, thousands of wild animals including koalas, kangaroos, and parrots are known to have died.

The media reported that heavy rain fell in eastern regions such as Sydney and Melbourne, temporarily slowing the wildfires.

However, local fire authorities forecast that temperatures will rise until the 10th. Fire authorities warned that fires in Victoria and New South Wales could merge, leading to larger wildfires.

Gladys Berejiklian, Premier of New South Wales, said, "We cannot be complacent in the current situation," adding, "We need to discuss recovery plans and ensure the safety of citizens who have lost their homes."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.