The 2019 and 2020 Australian forest fire season has caused the death or relocation of nearly 3 billion animals, according to the ANF agency. Scientists have explained for the first time the importance of the catastrophe to life in the country's original forest.

According to The Guardian, 143 million mammals, 180 million birds, 51 million frogs and 2.5 billion reptiles were affected by the fires that ravaged the entire continent. The flame or heat wouldn't kill all the animals, but scientists say that the prospects for survival of those who faced the initial impact "were not so great" due to the hunger, dehydration and depredation of the wild animals that have come next.

A preliminary report, based on the work of ten scientists from five organizations, points out that the number of fire victims "has exceeded one billion animals". The research involved scientists from the University of Sydney, the University of New South Wales, Newcastle University, Charles Sturt University and Australia Birdlife.

The findings suggest that this is "one of the worst wildlife disasters in modern history," according to the World Nature Fund (IMF). The fires spread to all the states of Australia last summer, ravaging the bushes and causing the death of at least 33 people. Mammals, reptiles, birds and frogs also died in flames or lost their habitat.

In January, at the height of the crisis, in New South Wales and Victoria, it was estimated that only 1.25 billion animals died. However, the new scrutiny covers a wider field. Between September and February, some 11.46 million hectares were burned.