"We've been surprised that the numbers have been so few," head vet Rupert Baker said. "My concern is that the intensity and the magnitude of the fire means there were no small refuge areas for animals to hide." But while the shellshocked creatures that do arrive may not be many in number, they are varied in species.

Eastern grey kangaroos, koalas, lace monitors, micro bats, ringtail possums and lyrebirds are all represented. Cleared out of their habitat with such force of flame, it seems amazing that they made it to the operating table.

Suffering burnt pads, smoke inhalation and singed coats and feathers, many were too exhausted to fight, almost welcoming human intervention.

"Ash", an eastern grey kangaroo, is now an outpatient of Healesville Sanctuary. He is a boarder at the Shangri-La Wildlife Shelter, run by Rodney and Trish Hudson-Davies.

"All his whiskers on the left side have gone and he's got fur ripple, which means he's gone through a fire wall," Mr Hudson- Davies said.

Staff are not dealing only with fire survivors but with wildlife that has been injured in road accidents or by pets as they fled the blazes. Many have to be put down.

Bridie Smith