A Battle Against the Flames: The Heartwrenching Story of Wildlife Rescues in the Australian Outback
Dr. Audrey Shen leans against the charred remains of an old eucalyptus tree, her gloves caked with soot and blood. In her arms, she cradles a joey, its tiny body trembling, as she whispers softly to comfort it. The little life she holds is one of the lucky ones—a survivor in a war zone of fire and ash. But survival here is a tenuous word, one that teeters on the edge of hope and heartbreak.
Dr. Shen, a veterinary wildlife conservationist, is no stranger to disaster. She has walked these scorched grounds before, during the devastating Black Summer bushfires of 2019-2020 in New South Wales. But nothing could have prepared her for what she and her team at Vets For Compassion would face in the Grampians.
“The wounds are different this time,” she explains. “These kangaroos and wallabies aren’t fresh burns—they’ve been trying to heal without medical attention. Their paws and feet are sloughing off, necrotic from infection. Some have infections that have spread through their bodies, and they’re wasting away. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.”
For weeks, the team has been on the ground, moving from property to property, responding to desperate calls from wildlife carers and locals who’ve spotted animals in distress. Fires rage across Victoria, and even as some are brought under control, new blazes erupt overnight. Shelters like the Hamilton Wildlife Shelter and Wildwood Wildlife Shelter are now at risk of burning down.
Dr. Shen recalls the moment her team was called in. She had been on standby for weeks, waiting for the all-clear to enter the fire grounds. “I was on a caravan trip with my family, traveling through Mildura, when I got the call. I drove five hours straight to Melbourne to join the team.”
The team itself is a force of resilience: Ollie Butchart, a skilled darter; Nicole De Haan, an expert in logistics and rescue; and Jacob Watt, a seasoned rescuer. Together, under the banner of Vets For Compassion, they’ve faced harrowing scenes of suffering and loss.
"We euthanized so many," Dr. Shen says, her voice faltering. “The ones we couldn’t save had wounds so severe they’d become untreatable. Some of them had pinkies—joeys still in their pouches. It’s been emotional, to say the least.”
But amidst the devastation, there are moments of hope. “The echidnas are incredible,” she says with a small, weary smile. “They burrow deep into the ground and somehow survive. They’ve been doing okay.”
For the macropods—kangaroos and wallabies—the story is bleaker. “They’re the ones suffering the most. Even when we find pockets of green where they’ve been able to eat, the lack of medical attention means they don’t stand a chance without us.”
Vets For Compassion operates as a fully volunteer-run organization. Its members are specially trained in disaster management, animal rescue, and veterinary care. The team utilizes cutting-edge technology, including drones, to spot animals in need. But the emotional and financial toll is staggering.
Elaine and Chris, the charity’s founders, had to leave the mission unexpectedly to care for Elaine’s critically ill mother in Hawaii. Dr. Shen stepped up as the lead veterinarian, knowing the team’s efforts would be the only lifeline for countless animals.
“Every day out here feels like a battle,” Dr. Shen admits. “The fires don’t just burn trees—they burn homes, lives, and futures. These animals are part of that future, and they deserve a chance.”
Dr. Shen will return to the fire grounds on Monday, bracing herself for what she fears will be worse than anything she’s already witnessed. The team’s supplies are dwindling—personal protective equipment (PPE), medical tools, and other essentials are desperately needed.
You can help. Donations to Vets For Compassion provide life-saving supplies for animals and the brave teams who fight for them. Every contribution brings a glimmer of hope to a scene of devastation.
“It’s hard,” Dr. Shen says, looking down at the joey she saved. “But then you see one make it. You see one fight to live, and it reminds you why you’re here. We just need people to help us keep fighting alongside them.”
Vets for Compassion is an incredible volunteer group. Every member has been trained specifically for disaster management and rescue. They have a team of darters, vets, rescuers, and drone pilots. All have vast experience in disaster work and have helped manage wildfires for years, include the Black Summer Wildfires of 2020.
