Wildfires are also an animal health emergency

In 2024, wildfires burned approximately 2.6 million hectares of the Pantanal, one of the world’s largest tropical wetlands and one of its richest biodiversity hotspots, destroying habitat for countless wild animals while threatening livestock production and rural livelihoods. The Pantanal is only one example of a growing global challenge. In recent years, severe wildfires have affected Southern Europe, the Amazon Basin, Oceania, parts of North America and many tropical regions, demonstrating that no region is immune.In 2025, an estimated 335 million hectares burned worldwide, illustrating that increasingly severe wildfire seasons are affecting ecosystems, livestock, wildlife and communities across every inhabited continent.As highlighted in the State of the World’s Animal Health 2026 report, the world is facing increasingly complex animal health risks driven by climate change, shifting ecosystems and growing pressure on Veterinary Services. In 2026, El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is further exacerbating drought and extreme weather conditions around the world, increasing the risk and severity of wildfires. Building resilient Veterinary Services is therefore not only an investment in animal health, but also an investment in preparedness for the climate- and environment-related emergencies that are becoming more frequent and more complex. While the devastating impacts of wildfires on people and the environment are widely recognised, their consequences for animals can often receive less attention. Wildfires can cause widespread animal suffering and mortality, disrupt livestock production, destroy habitats and biodiversity, and undermine the livelihoods of rural communities. They can also reshape the way wildlife, farm animals and people interact long after the flames have been extinguished.