The WWF reported that around 143 million mammals, 2.46 billion reptiles, 180 million birds, and 51 million frogs were affected by the devastating bushfires in Australia. Initially, the organization estimated the number of affected animals to be 1.25 billion while the fires were still burning. The fires ravaged more than 11 million hectares of land in the Australian southeast, which is approximately half the size of the United Kingdom. According to WWF-Australia CEO Dermot O'Gorman, this is considered one of the worst wildlife disasters in recent history. The research conducted by project leader Lily Van Eeden from the University of Sydney is the first comprehensive analysis of the impact of the bushfires on animals across the entire continent, providing valuable insights for other countries looking to improve their understanding of bushfire impacts globally. The overall number of animals impacted by the destruction of habitats has increased due to lack of food and shelter or the need to move to already occupied areas. Researchers attribute the rise in animal casualties to their assessment of the total affected area rather than just focusing on the most impacted states. Australia experienced a severe bushfire season from September 2019 to March 2020, resulting in 34 human deaths and almost 3,000 homes lost, as years of drought left the bush exceptionally dry.