Canberra – They have loyal dark eyes, a distinctive black nose and fluffy brown fur-koalas. But if marsupials aren’t better protected now, their species’ chances of survival are slim. Cause: Drought, bush fires and loss of habitat.
Now the Australian Government is reacting! In the states of New South Wales and Queensland, as well as the Australian Capital Territory with the capital Canberra, the koala’s endangered status has been officially upgraded from “Vulnerable” to “Endangered”. Environment Minister Susan Ley announced this on Friday.
In January 2020, wildlife rescuer Simon Adamczyk pulls an injured koala out of a burning forestPhoto: David Mariusz/dpa
More than 60,000 strange animals, which feed exclusively on eucalyptus leaves, were estimated to have been killed, injured or injured in the horrific bush fires from August 2019 to March 2020 – or had to leave their habitat .
Images of animals with ragged fur and burnt paws went around the world. And besides, the population in many parts of the country has been declining continuously for more than 20 years.
Officials are looking to invest 50 million Australian dollars (31 million euros) to save their national animal. “We are taking unprecedented action to protect the koalas,” Le said. “We work with scientists, medical researchers, veterinarians, communities, states, local governments and indigenous peoples.”
According to the animal welfare organization International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), the reason for the elevation of conservation status is the evaluation of two studies. These show that koala populations in tropical Queensland have declined by at least 50 percent since 2001, and that koalas in New South Wales are at risk of extinction.
Stock has long been troubled
Then it’s high time! “The decision to upgrade the security status was now urgent,” said IFAW Oceania Regional Director Rebecca Keeble. In his opinion, the measures should have been taken much earlier.
Keeble said the koala situation should be a wake-up call for Australia and encourage the government to step up its efforts. “Critical habitats must be protected from development and deforestation, and the effects of climate change must be vigorously addressed.”
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The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is a swamp species that sleeps in trees for most of the day and feeds exclusively on eucalyptus leaves. These are really poisonous. But: The digestive system of animals is able to neutralize toxic chemicals in plants.
According to the Australian Koala Foundation, there are as many as 100,000 koalas left in the wild, “but probably no more than 43,000”, according to the foundation.
