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Australia is an exotic place. It’s home to between 200,000 and 300,000 different species. There is also one type of animal that can’t be found anywhere in the world except for Australia.
The koala is a marsupial that lives in Australia’s trees. The species spends most of the time sleeping or munching on eucalyptus leaves. Koalas weigh between 15 to 30 pounds, each with a thick layer of fur.
Koalas are fun creatures, but unfortunately, their lives are at risk. External forces, like deforestation and natural disasters, threaten the species.
What is endangered and critically endangered? Are we going to lose our koala population? We’ve answered all of your koala questions below.
Are Koalas Critically Endangered?
Critically endangered means a species is at a very high risk of becoming extinct. It is the highest level a species reaches before it’s considered extinct in the wild, and then eventually, extinct.
Fortunately for the koalas, they are not considered critically endangered… yet. Koalas have been deemed vulnerable to extinction. The koala population faces a high risk of extinction in the wild if nothing is done.
The biggest risk to vulnerable species is habitat loss and destruction. The 2019 Australian bush fires destroyed landscapes and wildlife habitats. The fires damaged 45 million acres of bush across Australia.
The fires devastated a variety of endangered animals in Australia, but koalas were hit the hardest. Birds were able to fly for cover. Kangaroos could hop and move quickly out of harm’s way.
Unfortunately, koalas are naturally slow creatures. When the fires struck, they were stuck. According to Australia’s environmental minister, 30% of koalas in New South Wales, Australia, were killed. Australian officials estimate a total of one billion animals, including 8,000 koalas, perished throughout the country.
Will Koalas Go Extinct?
Koalas were already a threatened species prior to the fires. After the catastrophic events and loss of habitat, they are now vulnerable to extinction. However, they are at a high risk of becoming critically endangered and, eventually, extinct.
Humans have always threatened the koala population. For centuries, humans hunted kolas for their pelts. People have also encroached on their habitat. Deforestation has destroyed the Australian landscape and taken away koala food sources.
Between 1990 and 2010, the Australian koala population decreased by 42%. It was then that the species started being protected to prevent endangerment. Since the horrific Australian fires, officials have stepped up koala conservation to prevent extinction.
Australian conservation groups are educating the public to prevent habitat loss and restore the koala and other endangered Australian animal populations. People must look out for koalas, keep dogs on leashes, and advocate to prevent deforestation. Loss of trees leaves koalas with less shelter and food. An adult koala consumes 200 to 500 grams of eucalyptus leaves each day.
Koala hospitals are helping burnt and injured koalas regain strength and stay healthy, with hopes of returning most of them to the wild one day.
Koalas who cannot return to wild life become permanent residents at zoos and sanctuaries. These organizations conduct educational programs to teach the public about koalas and how to help the species. If you’re interested in visiting the world’s oldest and largest koala sanctuary, purchase Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary tickets.
A Healthy Planet Is Possible
While koalas may not be considered critically endangered, their population is reaching historically low numbers. People around the world can help koalas and other endangered animal populations by doing their part in reducing climate change and keeping our planet healthy.
To learn more about what you can do to save the environment, check out the rest of our website.
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