These Evansville individuals are joining efforts to help Australian wildlife

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Area residents are joining global efforts to help rescue wildlife in Australia amidst rampant wildfires. 

The fires have been ongoing since September. Scientists say it's the worst fire season on record, and it's fueled by drought and hotter than normal temperatures — all of which are exacerbated by climate change, they say.

Among the many local efforts include an Evansville man who raised funds and is in Australia now working with a wildlife group on the ground and a group of community members crafting pouches and wraps to help in the rescue efforts. 

The World Wildlife Fund in Australia estimates that as many as 1.25 billion animals have died in the fires. 

Rescue groups and charities are on the ground trying to provide shelter and food for surviving animals. 

Todd Veeck of Evansville is in Adelaide, Australia, helping with those efforts by working at feed and water sites. He said he's gathering food such as gum leaves for the kolas and taking them to small animal shelters low on food. 

"I have always been a big animal person, and I was seeing kangaroos and koalas that did survive but were starving. So I’m going out working with the small sanctuaries and good-hearted people and setting up feed stations," Veeck said in an interview with the Courier & Press from Australia. 

He's also travelling by ferry to Kangaroo Island, where the wildlife population was decimated by the fires, to help any surviving animals. 

Veeck sold shirts and got donations from local business to fund his trip. 

Others in town are also joining the cause by using their talents. The Willard Public Library held a craft session to create cloth joey pouches, bat wraps and crochet nests for birds and other small animals. 

Stacie Dotson, a librarian assistant, said she saw that the Animal Rescue Craft Guild of Australia was requesting assistance and wanted to help out. When she brought it to her supervisor's attention, they decided to make it a community event. 

"Animals have always been near and dear to my heart," Dotson said. "So it hit hard, and I thought I could do something."

Other crafters from the community came to the event, many who joined said they were horrified by the wildfires and wanted to help in any way they could.  

"Just seeing the fires happen over there is so heartbreaking, and I couldn't contribute financially so when I saw this opportunity pop up I'm like 'I know how to sew,'" Faith Connell said. 

"I thought bringing the resources that I have is one way to help, even if it's a small way,  at least it's a way to help."

Terry Goodman came to the crafting event with his wife and three grandchildren. 

"We listened to the stories about the fires in Australia and all the hardships it's bringing not only to the people but animals as well. So this we thought, as grandma and grandpa, this was a good opportunity to get our grandkids involved " Goodman said. 

The kids worked with the help of their grandparents, measuring and cutting fabric to make pouches. 

"We're making pouches for the baby animals. There was a big fire and tons of animals died so we came here to fix and try to help," Liam Goodman, 8, said. 

All crafts made at the event will be sent to a Craft Guild station that will distribute it to animal shelters in Australia. The library will be accepting joey pouches, bat wraps and crochet nests until Jan. 27.