Australian bushfires are claiming everything in their way, putting wildlife concerns in the center of the attention, namely koalas. Kangaroo Island, Australia's third-largest island, is one of the most damaged locations and also one with the largest population of koalas. Statistics show that more than 25,000 koalas on Kangaroo Island have been killed by the fire, as one-third of the island's area is burnt. 

The sad fact is, the koalas are not the only animals suffering in the disaster. Experts estimate there are 480 million mammals, birds, and reptiles killed and that several species may even have been extinct. 

There are many species endemic to Kangaroo Island, including the Kangaroo Island kangaroo, Rosenberg's sand goanna, southern brown bandicoot, tammar wallaby, common brushtail possum, short-beaked echidna, Australian sea lion and long-nosed fur seal, and six bat and frog species. Conservationists fear that the Kangaroo Island dunnart, a critically endangered species, was extinct in the fire, as their habitats are devastated.

Besides, Kangaroo Island has been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA), because it supports populations of many vulnerable or near threatened bird species, including the famous little penguin. The island is the last South Australian refuge of an endangered subspecies of the glossy black cockatoo. The subspecies is feared to be extinct due to the fire. 

The latest situation on the island looks slightly promising: emergency warnings on Kangaroo Island have been downgraded, after rain provided much-needed relief for CFS volunteers battling two massive bushfires, stopping the spread of blazes on the south coast. A rain band from the west made its way across the island and has finally eased conditions on the fire ground. Volunteers are still searching for endangered species and once they are found, they will be sent to the wildlife rescue center.  

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