Emergency Response to Australia’s Black Summer 2019–2020: The Role of a Zoo-Based Conservation Organisation in Wildlife Triage, Rescue, and Resilience for the Future

SIMPLE SUMMARY: In the summer of 2019–2020, a series of more than 15,000 bushfires raged across Australia in a catastrophic event called Australia’s Black Summer. An estimated 3 billion native animals, and whole ecosystems, were impacted by the bushfires, with many endangered species pushed closer to extinction. Zoos Victoria was part of a state-led bushfire response to assist wildlife, alongside government, non-government organisations, and key partners. Here, we detail the role of Zoos Victoria in wildlife triage and welfare, threatened species evacuation and recovery, media and communications, and fundraising during and after the fires. We provide case studies on the triage, care, release, and monitoring of injured koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus); the evacuation and return of endangered eastern bristlebirds (Dasyornis brachypterus) and brush-tailed rock wallabies (Petrogale penicillata); and the development of nutritionally suitable supplementary food and emergency feeding of critically endangered mountain pygmy-possums (Burramys parvus). We share our strategies for future resilience and readiness for similar catastrophic events, as well as the development of triage protocols, emergency response kits, emergency enclosures, captive breeding programs, and nature-based healing for communities directly affected by the fires. We hope that by outlining these contributions from a zoo-based conservation organisation, other zoos and wildlife organisations, both nationally and internationally, may be assisted or encouraged to commit resources and build expertise to assist wildlife in catastrophic events. ABSTRACT: Modern zoos are increasingly taking a leading role in emergency management and wildlife recovery. In the face of climate change and the predicted increase in frequency and magnitude of catastrophic events, zoos provide specialised expertise to assist wildlife welfare and endangered species recovery. In the 2019–2020 Australian bushfire season, now called Australia’s Black Summer, a state government-directed response was developed, assembling specialised individuals and organisations from government, non-government organisations, research institutions, and others. Here, we detail the role of Zoos Victoria staff in wildlife triage and welfare, threatened species evacuation and recovery, media and communications, and fundraising during and after the fires. We share strategies for future resilience, readiness, and the ability to mobilise quickly in catastrophic events. The development of triage protocols, emergency response kits, emergency enclosures, and expanded and new captive breeding programs is underway, as are programs for care of staff mental health and nature-based community healing for people directly affected by the fires. We hope this account of our response to one of the greatest recent threats to Australia’s biodiversity, and steps to prepare for the future will assist other zoos and wildlife organisations around the world in preparations to help wildlife before, during, and after catastrophic events.