L-R Roberta Campbell, Pam Turner with DSE personnel Peter Harridine and Cameron Penrose on the lookout for injured wildlife.
REGION - The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is asking motorists in or near fire affected areas in the Grampians to beware of wildlife on roads and to report any injured animals.
Wildlife will be on the move alongside or crossing roads to seek green feed either on roadsides or in unburnt areas within the fire ground.
DSE Program Manager Terrestrial Biodiversity, Andrew Pritchard, said DSE is working with Wildlife Victoria to help keep wildlife volunteers informed of the fire ground situation and prepared for any animal rescues that may be required in the future.
"When the fire is declared safe for volunteers, DSE will liaise with Wildlife Victoria to potentially conduct searches for injured and distressed wildlife," Mr Pritchard said.
"We know that kangaroos and wallabies can escape the main fire front, but then return to burnt areas while the ground is still hot."
DSE Wildlife Officers patrolled accessible areas of the fire ground with Wildlife Victoria representative Pam Turner to further gauge the impact on wildlife in the Grampians National Park.
"The group saw many animals unaffected by the fire however one badly injured Red-necked Wallaby had to be humanely put down," Mr Pritchard said.
Mr Pritchard said injured wildlife rescued from the fire ground would be assessed and potentially transferred to appropriate wildlife shelters for rehabilitation. The public should report injured wildlife to Wildlife Victoria on 1300 094 535.