Scientists in Brazil have conducted a study which concluded that around 17 millions animals were killed in the Brazilian Wildfires which burnt between January & November 2020.

Wildfires burned between January and November, destroying 30% of the world's largest tropical wetland.

17 millions vertebrates which included reptiles, birds & primates died.

Dr Mariana Napolitano Ferreira, head of science at WWF-Brazil explained that there were 22,000 separate fires recorded during that year.

This new research highlights, the researchers say, the importance of preventing such disasters in the future.

Wildfires are common in that area but these were unsual due to their scale & were linked to the drought that area was experiencing at that time.

Scientists managed to reach areas of the wetland within 48 hours of a fire. They walked along tracts at set intervals and examined every dead animal they found.

The team was able to identify the species of 300 animals they found.

This research found out that these wildfires are a direct consequence of climate change.

Link to the report :- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-02844-5