Australian Firefighters Are Once Again Posing With Animals For Their Annual Charity Calendar To Help The Wildlife Injured In The Fires (18 Pics)

Every year since 1993, Australian firefighters have released an annual calendar where they pose with adorable animals. The firefighters then donate the profits to various charities and have raised over $3.2 million throughout the years.

In a recent interview with Bored Panda, the Australian Firefighters Calendar team explained that 2019 and 2020 were particularly devastating years for the country, as it suffered major bushfires and lost around 1 billion animals from their diverse native wildlife. “While the fires may have gone, the destroyed bushland has made it impossible for many of the displaced wildlife to return to their natural habitat,” explained the team.

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Image source: Australian Firefighters Calendar

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Image source: Australian Firefighters Calendar

“Every year, hundreds of firefighters from around Australia submit photos to be part of the calendar photoshoot, but only 24 are chosen to come to the photoshoot on the Gold Coast,” explained David Rogers, the director of the Australian Firefighters Calendar. But even then there is no guarantee that the photo will be included in the calendar.

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Image source: Australian Firefighters Calendar

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Image source: Australian Firefighters Calendar

David explained that all of the animals seen in the photos are provided by the local refuge charities. “They will bring dogs, puppies, kittens and cats. We also use therapy horses who have helped autistic children and adults suffering from mental illness,” explained the director. “And we use Australian Wildlife from the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital and Sanctuary. Ducklings, alpacas, goats, and lams, we have every animal you can think of at the photoshoot.” There have even been cases where the firefighters bonded with the animals so well, they ended up adopting them!

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Image source: Australian Firefighters Calendar

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Image source: Australian Firefighters Calendar

“No one was left unaffected watching our precious wildlife trying to escape from the bushfires, and the loss of wildlife is beyond comprehension,” explained David. “Everyone at the Australian Firefighters Calendar decided that all our efforts needed to be focused on Australian Wildlife this year.” This year’s calendar will be raising funds to support native animal charities that are crucial to supporting the wildlife.