Undercurrent Readers’ Rescue Australian Wildlife from the Devastating Fires

Thanks to the generous support of Undercurrent readers, we raised $52,836 from more than 300 donors to help save Australian wildlife during the horrible December and January fires. Undercurrent contributed an additional $2200 to cover credit card processing costs and accounting.

We selected many groups in the fire-ridden states on the east and southeast coasts of Australia, including New South Wales Wildlife (WIRES), Zoological Parks and Gardens Board, Wildlife Victoria, Koala Rescue Queensland, and the Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Each group had specific wildlife rescue programs for the bush fires, and we directed our contributions to be used for that purpose.

In addition, many groups are at work to rehabilitate important habitat to which they return the animals, once treated and recovered, and we made additional contributions to FAME (Fund for Australia's Most Endangered Species), the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, and the Australian Platypus Conservancy.

I want to thank all of you who contributed so generously. It seems like such a long time ago, but I can assure you the money went to established organizations that we were able to confirm were doing good work; each acknowledged our donations and send their deep appreciation to all the divers who contributed. They were delighted that those of us, so far away from Australia, had their animals at heart.

PS: Your contributions are tax-deductible. As required by law, we emailed a formal letter to each individual who gave $250 or more. If you have any questions about deductibility, you may email me at BenDDavison@undercurrent.org

- Ben Davison