Dr Rupert Baker said that while hundreds of animals - many of them kangaroos - had had to be euthanased for their injuries in the wake of the fires, there were enough success stories to keep staff motivated and going forward.

Echidna Ficky Dee, featured in the Journal last year, and Merlot were among echidnas released back to Dixon's Creek last November, following months of painstaking treatment for deep burns.

Several koalas were released in September. Two will probably remain at the Sanctuary as injuries to their lungs and limbs are likely to prevent them from thriving in the wild.

Some species had taken longer to recover, others had to wait for their habitat to recover for them to return.

Staff at Healesville Sanctuary have also been receiving treatment, with an external counselling team brought in to support them after the fires.

"It's been fairly challenging. People have lost friends and houses. A lot of people are going to find [the anniversary] very difficult, staff included."

There were no plans to mark the anniversary at the sanctuary, but Dr Baker encouraged readers to plan their next visit to the sanctuary, which is open throughout the year.

Donations from around the world helped fund its response to the bushfire victims, but, like other tourism operators in the region, falling visitor numbers following the fires meant a reduction in income to fund its activities, including the Australian Animal Wildlife Health Centre.

"The main way to support us is to come to the sanctuary," he said.