Rapid analysis of impacts of the 2019–20 fires on animal species, and prioritisation of species for management response: Report prepared for the Wildlife and Threatened Species Bushfire Recovery Expert Panel

The 2019-20 bushfires have had severe impacts on many animal species. The fires have covered an unusually large spatial extent, and in many areas they have burnt with unusually high intensity. Some species were considered threatened before the fires, and the fires have now likely brought them even closer to extinction. Many other fire-affected animal species were considered secure and not threatened before the fires, but have now lost much of their habitat and may be imperiled. To support recovery of these species, conservation action will be needed for many species, at many sites, and such informed management will be carried out by a wide range of government agencies, non-government conservation organisations, university researchers, community groups and the public. However, some species are in need of more urgent help than others.