Horrifyingly, close to half a billion (yes, billion – with a ‘b’) animal lives have already been lost since bushfire season started early in September.
WATCH: Bindi plans to wed with a furry friend by her side.
According to ecologists from the University of Sydney, an estimated 480 million mammals, birds and reptiles have been lost since the season started in September; and with no end in sight to the catastrophic fires – or the soaring temperatures that are helping to fuel them – many more are likely to be lost.
There are fears entire species may be wiped out before the infernos subside.
But Bindi Irwin hasn’t given up the fight to save our wildlife, taking to social media to share that she and her Australia Zoo family are working to save as many animals as they can.
“With so many devastating fires within Australia, my heart breaks for the people and wildlife who have lost so much,” she posted on Instagram, also letting fans and followers know she and her family are safe – and revealing that the staff at Australia Zoo’s animal hospital have already treated tens of thousands of animals injured as a result of the raging fires.
“Our Wildlife Hospital is busier than ever,” she continued, “having officially treated over 90,000 patients.”
The young conservationist added that they were “saving as many lives as we can”.
Bindi shared a similar message with her Twitter followers, reporting her Insta message and adding a few more words, speaking on behalf of her tribe – including fiancé Chandler Powell.
“Our hearts break for the people and wildlife who have lost so much in the current Australian bushfires. We’re safe here @AustraliaZoo and our entire zoo family is safe too. The fires are not near us however we are treating so many animals at our Wildlife Hospital.”
Amidst the devastation of the bushfires, and working to rescue its animalian victims, Bindi is also busy planning her wedding.
After Chandler proposed to the Wildlife Warrior on her 21st birthday, she revealed that she will honour her late father, Steve Irwin, on the big day by having her brother Robert walk her down the aisle.
“I think that for me, it’ll be really important that Robert walks me down the aisle. That’s something that I really want to do.”
She continued, saying Robert had “always stepped up and been the one to give me a hug when I need it and encourage me forward in life”.
While Bindi and her family have been somewhat removed from the fires blazing across the nation, other local stars haven’t been so lucky.
Sam Armytage has detailed her lucky escape from deadly bush fires currently blazing throughout New South Wales.
Driving alongside partner Richard Lavender after spending time on the South Coast during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, the Sunrise presenter uploaded videos to her Instagram Stories of the scorched surrounds in Bemboka from the passenger seat of the car. The bushfire warning had been upgraded to emergency level due to a fast-moving fire burning north of the small town on New Year’s Eve.
“Day turned to night … The sky was on fire,” she captioned the terrifying footage.
Revealing that thankfully, she and Richard, as well as their dogs, had escaped the blazes, the Seven star went on to give thanks to the “brave souls” battling the unprecedented bush fires across Australia.
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