THE prospect of being able to one day release injured animals back into the wild after these devastating fires is pushing WIRES Central West volunteers to keep working hard in these tough times.
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A number of animals have been coming into care in Bathurst after being injured in fires around the Lithgow, Clarence Valley, Hartley and Hartley Vale areas.
Volunteers have been responding to reports of injured wildlife, going into these areas once they're safe to rescue the animals and take them for treatment.
In some cases, animals have had to be darted so they can be transported safely.
Christie Jarrett is overseeing the medical treatment of animals brought to Bathurst and said it has been a tough situation on top of the last three to four years of drought conditions.
As of Thursday, nine kangaroos had come to Bathurst for treatment.
"There have been a range of injuries, but mainly burns on their feet," Ms Jarrett said.
WIRES has been working with Stewart Street Veterinary Hospital to treat the animals and give them their best chance of survival.
Sadly, some have not survived.
On January 5, a kangaroo was being treated and died while being revived from anaesthetic, thought to be as a result of complications of smoke inhalation.
On Wednesday, another had to be euthanised due to an infection in the joint which had become badly infected.
There are five kangaroos still in Bathurst that were treated and are being monitored during their recovery.
"Some of them are doing better than others, but we have hope they'll all come through," Ms Jarrett said.
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It is anticipated that more injured animals will be found and need to be transported to Bathurst for treatment in the coming weeks.
The rescue and treatment of these animals has been made possible with the help of Stewart Street Vets, WIRES volunteers and ecologist Ray Mjadwesch, who has been darting kangaroos so they can be transported.
They have given their time, worked long hours and during public holidays to help animals and, despite it being difficult, aren't giving up.
"I think what everyone is feeling that any animal we rescue is precious and they give us hope that we can get them back in the wild," Ms Jarrett said.
She said there were no words to thank all the people who have been helping to rescue, treat and care for the animals, and that WIRES was extremely grateful for their help.
Their efforts have also been supported Cannon and Ball Veterinary Surgeons and Zoetis, which have both helped to provide medication to Bathurst.
People who are living around the fire and drought-affected areas are encouraged to look out for injured wildlife and animals suffering from heat stress.
"If people find an animal in distress, please call us on 1300 094 737 and please be patient because we are fielding a lot of calls at the moment," Ms Jarrett said.
Anyone who wants to find out more about what WIRES is doing, including how to volunteer, can visit www.wires.org.au.
WIRES is also in need of donations to support the work it does, especially now with the bushfire emergency.
Donations can be made via the organisation's website and are used in a range of ways, including to improve its capability to rescue and care for more animals, and to subsidise food costs for wildlife in care.