The Fate of Australia’s Much Loved Koala

Internationally known for their cute teddy bear appearance and tendency to snooze all day, the koala is an iconic and endeared marsupial from the land down under.

Internationally known for their cute teddy bear appearance and tendency to snooze all day, the koala is an iconic and endeared marsupial from the land down under. These sturdy framed animals with a large head and round, fluffy ears are an integral part of the Australian bush. Tourists flock from all corners of the globe to catch a glimpse of one perched in the branch of a gum tree. Unfortunately, Koala numbers are under threat across Australia. In February 2022, the koala populations of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland advanced in the List of Threatened Fauna from ‘vulnerable’ to ‘endangered’. Sadly, being loveable is not enough to save them from the threat of extinction. Experts predict that NSW koalas could be extinct as early as 2050. Since European settlement, urbanisation of Australia has seen a whopping 80% of the Koala’s natural habitat destroyed and with further development of prime real estate encroaching on their habitat, busy roads, dog attacks , a life-threatening disease called chlamydia and the impact of bushfires, the much-loved koala population may not survive. Let's take a look at some of the main challenges koalas face. Tree-clearing Bulldozers continue to destroy habitats for agricultural and urban development which means koalas spend more time on the ground moving from tree to tree making them vulnerable to dog attacks and leaving them without homes. Global warming According to research , the effects of climate change see a significant decline in nutritional value of the eucalyptus leaf, a koala’s main food and water supply. As a result, koalas abandon their trees in search of food and water which leaves them exposed to predators and car fatalities. Heat Stress Heat stress is a major environmental stressor in the Koala. As global warming increases temperature and decreases rainfall, a reduction in moisture storage in the eucalyptus leaf leaves the koala having to source nutrients elsewhere. Chlamydia Chlamydia can cause blindness and painful cysts in a Koala’s reproductive tract that may lead to infertility or even death affecting the dwindling population adversely. However, recently the Australian Government announced monetary assistance for Koala conservation through monitoring, the protection of habitats, and the improvement of healthcare in response to natural disasters and diseases. But is it too little too late? Let’s hope not for the sake of our furry friends. The money will be used in koala research and for treatment of injured animals, in environment groups and industry for habitat restoration projects, and for community initiatives. On the Sunshine Coast of Queensland nestled between a Glasshouse mountain and the ocean is the Australia Zoo where they take their part in conservation of wildlife very seriously. The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital provides treatment for more than 800 sick and injured koala’s every year and as part of their efforts to conserve the population the Zoo supports researchers and wildlife veterinarians in their effort to rid koalas of diseases. Because of Australia Zoo and organisations like them, koala populations and their habitats have a chance to survive and prosper. The fate of our much-loved koala rests in our hands.