Los Angeles wildfires threaten animals, pets and wildlife at risk
The Animal Reader
The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County in the United States have caused immense suffering to humans and animals. Firefighters are still working to control the blazes.
The most destructive fire in Los Angeles history continues to spread, forcing more evacuations. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to ashes, leaving animals with nowhere to go.
Footage from Altadena and Topanga Canyon has shown deer, mountain lions, and other animals fleeing the fires, highlighting the dangerous situation for local wildlife.
According to Miguel Ordeñana, a wildlife biologist at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the immediate threats include burns, smoke inhalation, and habitat destruction. However, the long-term impacts on animal populations could be even more severe.
Territorial animals like bobcats face difficult choices as fires destroy their homes. Forced to leave their territories, they may encounter predators or other risks in unfamiliar areas. “They picked that territory for a reason. Now, they’re forced into vulnerable situations, especially if they have young,” Ordeñana told High Country News.
Even species adapted to urban environments, such as bats, are losing their limited shelters, including trees, roofs, and freeway underpasses. “Yes, they can fly, but fly where?” Ordeñana asks.
California condor threatened
Biologist and wildlife host Jeff Corwin told TMZ that the wildfires are an “unprecedented catastrophe” for animals, particularly for endangered species like the California condor.
Corwin said that with only about 350 condors remaining in the wild and many of them living in areas directly affected by the fires, their population could face devastating losses.
Bears and mountain lions, which also inhabit the burned areas, face displacement as they search for food, water, and shelter. This movement could lead to more encounters between wildlife and humans.
Corwin cautioned residents returning to fire-affected areas to avoid approaching large injured animals and to contact wildlife authorities instead.
Animal shelters are full
While many residents have fled with their pets, others were unable to bring their animals, leaving them behind in the evacuation rush.
Animal shelters in the area are working tirelessly to care for the abandoned animals.
Pasadena Humane, one of the shelters providing emergency assistance, has taken in more than 400 animals since the wildfires started.
“We are starting to see many animals coming in with burns and injuries. These animals are being treated in our ICU. We are providing them with pain medications, wound care, fluid, and oxygen as needed,” the animal shelter said in a Facebook post.
The shelters are struggling to meet the needs of the animals. Rescue teams and volunteers are trying to reunite pets with their owners and provide care to those without homes.
The Department of Animal Care and Control of Los Angeles County released a list of animal shelters that will take animals affected by the evacuation orders.
Man rescues injured dog from rubble
On Thursday, a man rescued a stray dog from the rubble of a burned neighborhood.
Rick Miller discovered the injured dog while checking on a friend’s home in Altadena, one of the areas devastated by the wildfires. The dog, with light-colored fur and brown eyes, appeared frightened and disoriented.
Miller acted quickly, laying a blanket over the animal to comfort him while figuring out how to safely remove the dog from the dangerous area.
“It’s about caring for each other,” Miller told CNN, tearing up as he described the emotional scene. “Everyone needs help right now.”
Miller brought the dog to Pasadena Humane, where he was treated for burns and smoke exposure. It is unclear if the dog had an owner or was a stray.
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