As the death toll for animals killed in the horrific fires in Australia rises news of those animals that have survived the fires but face a bleak future as their natural habitat is destroyed in heartbreaking.
It’s estimated around one billion animals have died in the fires with many conservationists warning some species could already be extinct.
Creating kangaroo pouches
Those animals that have survived the flames face starvation unless food can be delivered to them or they can be rescued. Many of these are babies who have lost their mothers.
Now knitters around the world are uniting to create kangaroo and wallaby joey pouches, bird baskets and bat wraps to send to the displaced animals.
A craft group called the Animal Rescue Craft Guild in Sydney, Australia, appealed to crafters around the world to help and in one week thousands of items were sent out.
“Estimates of items received are into the thousands,” said founding member Belinda Orellana.
Started with a few members
The group’s Facebook page started in April 2019 to create rescue animal supplies, such as dog and cat beds, locally and had just a few members.
But since the fires started in November the group’s base has grown to over 200,000 members from all over the world.
One member noted the extent to which people are uniting around the world to do what they can to help the people and animals of Australia.
“There are posts from people all over the world, madly crafting away to help our wildlife. There’s ladies groups, people who have never sewn, mothers & their teenage sons, grandmas teaching their young grandchildren to sew,” she said.
“Our country is burning, our wildlife has been decimated & my heart is broken. But this ‘little group’ has restored my faith in humanity ❤️”
Long list of rescue requests
Since the appeal the group’s organizers have called a halt to the items as they have been inundated with supplies.
“We are taking a momentary break to stock take our hubs, distribute items to the long list of rescue requests we have and organize properly what we need,” Avalon Llewellyn wrote.
Sydney-based fiber artist Jacqui Fink told PBS Newshour to “never underestimate a crafter” in a crisis.
“They have big hearts and clever hands and love a challenge,” she added.
It’s so wonderful to see so many people come together to do all they can to help.
Please share to pay tribute to these creative crafters.
