Endangered species threatened by LA fires and missing pets may return to properties after flames extinguished: expert

The historic Los Angeles wildfires have wiped out thousands of homes and left at least 11 people dead — and also threaten to wipe out endangered animals, one expert warned.“We’re kind of caught up in this horrible moment right now with the immediate impact on people that have lost their homes, their livelihood, people have died.In the background, there are animals that have been impacted,” biologist and wildlife conservationist Jeff Corwin told TMZ.“There’s this urgent need to protect wildlife.” The host of the Disney Channel’s “Going Wild with Jeff Corwin,” said the massive fires have left wildlife in a precarious situation.

“Critical coastal habitat, mountain habitat of California has been scorched.There are endangered species including California condors, mountain lions, black bears.

There are many creatures now that, if they have not died in these fires, they have been displaced.”The California condor is a critically endangered species, with only 350 left “and a significant piece of that population lives in ground zero of where these fires have happened,” Corwin noted.He also spoke passionately about the “non-human members of our families” who have been affected.“Many beloved pets have been lost in these horrible fires … Thousands and thousands of cats and dogs and horses have been injured, have been killed, have been displaced,” he said.

He believes many pets survived due to their “tenacity,” and advises those who are missing pets to return to their property and leave out food, water and a camera to monitor activity.Corwin, who already donated $31,000 to help the animals affected by the wildfires through his nonprofit the Brady Hunter Foundation, also spoke about shelters who are facing dire straits.Pasadena Humane, an emergency shelter, has already taken in more than 400 animals from the Eaton Fire who are suffering from smoke inhalation, singed paws, burns and dehydration.“We are desperately in need of monetary ...