How many animal lives could be lost in total across Australia?

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Estimates Suggest Billions of Animals Could Be Lost Nationwide

Estimates from Australian universities suggest that the total number of animal lives lost across Australia due to the bushfires could reach into the billions. While a specific study focusing on New South Wales (NSW) calculated 480 million animal deaths, this figure is considered a conservative estimate and does not account for all forms of wildlife.
New South Wales Estimate Highlights Significant Losses

A study by the University of Sydney estimated that 480 million animals had perished in New South Wales alone since September 2019. This calculation, which included mammals, birds, and reptiles, was described by its authors as "highly conservative" and indicated that the actual toll could be substantially higher. The methodology involved cross-referencing mammal population density in NSW with areas of scorched vegetation.
Nationwide Toll Potentially Reaches Billions

Experts believe the nationwide death toll could be considerably higher, potentially reaching into the billions. Professor Andrew Beattie from Macquarie University suggested that if one considers mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and larger insects, the cumulative loss across the continent could be immense. He indicated that in many extensively burned areas, the majority of wildlife would likely have perished.
Excluded Wildlife Suggests Underestimation

The mortality calculations for New South Wales specifically excluded insects, bats, and frogs, suggesting that the reported 480 million figure is an undercount. The broader nationwide estimate, which includes amphibians and larger insects, points to a more comprehensive, albeit still potentially incomplete, picture of the devastation. The true extent of loss, encompassing all animal life, remains difficult to quantify precisely.

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How many animal lives could be lost in total across Australia?

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