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Two Thumbs Wildlife Trust‘s bushfire recovery has seen a lot of progress recently, with the organisation’s restoration and wildlife rehabilitation efforts bringing life back to a once-decimated animal sanctuary.
Four years on from the disaster, birds can be heard chirping and koalas bellowing, while marsupials and raptors are again calling the sanctuary home.
Black Summer bushfires
The bushfires of 2019-2020 left a trail of destruction, causing immense devastation to the landscape of southern NSW. The disaster ravaged vast areas of land and significantly impacted wildlife populations and ecosystems across the continent.
It was an environmental catastrophe, resulting in an estimated three billion animal deaths, including mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Animal sanctuary’s bushfire recovery progress
The Two Thumbs Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Cooma, sustained severe devastation during the bushfires.
The sanctuary lost infrastructure as well as natural habitat, impacting the local wildlife.
In an effort to restore the Two Thumbs Wildlife Sanctuary, along with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and Habitat Innovation and Management launched a groundbreaking project.
The restoration initiative involved the installation of innovative Habitech nest boxes. These mimic natural tree hollows, to encourage native wildlife to return to the area.
World-first dens helping crucial wildlife rehabilitation
In November 2023, a selection of world-first, innovative dens were installed at the sanctuary to encourage small to medium marsupials to set up homes.
Habitech nest boxes have a unique design that mimics natural shapes and are insulated to regulate the inside temperature. Making the animals feel like they’re in the real thing.
The boxes are also incredibly durable and can withstand extreme weather.
And in some great news, the installation is proving a success! Various species, including gliders, microbats, and rosellas, have been attracted to the nest boxes, seeking refuge and shelter.
Motion-sensor cameras placed near the nest boxes have captured the regular use of these structures by a diverse range of animals, including echidnas, skinks, and possums.
In addition to the nest boxes, the restoration project also includes IFAW’s innovative dens for small to medium marsupials. These dens, equipped with motion-sensor cameras, have become vital shelters for animals in need of protection.
Key update: Several raptor nesting platforms were also constructed to provide safe sites for large birds to create nests. Devastatingly, experts believe that every raptor nest would have been burnt during the Black Summer bushfires, so their addition was crucial to attracting a variety of birds.
Restoration beyond the sanctuary
The restoration efforts extend beyond the immediate sanctuary grounds. More than 2000 native grasses and trees have been planted to create a healthy and diverse habitat.
Soil erosion control measures and fencing work have also been implemented to aid in the overall recovery of the landscape.
James Fitzgerald, the owner of Two Thumbs Wildlife Sanctuary, says it’s been encouraging to see life returning to the sanctuary.
Highlighting the significant difference in the past year, Fitzgerald says the sanctuary has transformed from devastation – that he calls a ‘ghost forest’ after the fires – to having the sound of birds and animals back again.
And the bellowing of the koalas is testament to the positive impact of the restoration work.
As the sanctuary continues its journey towards full recovery, there is hope that it will once again become a thriving wildlife haven, providing a safe and nurturing environment for a diverse range of species.
