Koalas in Australia Face Extinction

The famous Australian marsupials known as koalas are in danger of becoming extinct. They now only have between 95,000 and 524,000 people. The government designated East Coast koalas as "endangered" in 2022. Their decrease is caused by many things, including as illness and habitat loss.

Reasons for Koala Decline and Potential Solutions

• Australia has lost approximately 100 species: it is the 'extinction capital' of the world with an average of one unique and native species extinct every 12 months for the past 123 years.
• Urban development and agriculture have greatly disrupted koala habitats.
• Chlamydia: a blood-transmitted disease that is becoming one of our most dangerous killers, causing infertility and death.
• Work is being done on a vaccine, with researchers at the University of the Sunshine Coast showing koalas vaccinated had 64% lower mortality rates.
• Protecting habitat is critical, with tropical forests under the greatest threat.
• Increasing public awareness and awareness campaigns (e.g. campaigns aimed at raising the level of education with regard to threats to koalas)
• Although the government program aims to protect habitat and control disease, critics are calling for more aggressive action.
• Koalas are at risk and will need ongoing study, community involvement, and government action to ensure their survival.