Koala
Introduction
Introduction
"Koalas do not live in rainforests or desert areas. They live in the tall eucalypt forests and low eucalypt woodlands of mainland eastern Australia, and on some islands off the southern and eastern coasts. Queensland, NSW, Victoria and South Australia are the only states where Koalas are found naturally in the wild.
– The Australian Koala Foundation believes that the Australian Government should be responsible for the protection of all Koala habitat on private land. The current fragmented approach of each State being responsible for its own Koalas is not working." - Save the Koala: Interesting Facts
History & Current Status
"The first koalas date back 20 million years, says Johnson. Over that time period, as many as 20 species of koalas existed at various points across Australia. Phascolarctos cinereus, the single koala species left today, dates back just 350,000 years.
Most of Australia's estimated 32,065 to 57,920 koalas live on the eastern and southeastern coast, as their habitat gets pushed farther and farther toward the sea. Johnson refers to their remaining territory as a "sliver" of coastline." - CNET: A World Without Koalas
Ecological Function of Koalas
"Even though koalas have no competition for eating eucalyptus, many other species live in the forests. By eating more than a pound of eucalyptus leaves every day, each koala helps control plant growth, balance the forest ecosystem and support forest life for insects and birds.
Because it takes koalas a long time to digest the toxic eucalyptus leaves, their droppings constantly replenish the nearby soil, Tobey says. On the occasion they do climb down from a tree to mate or move to another tree, they might also carry plant life with them and unknowingly assist with pollination.
Eating such large quantities of eucalyptus even helps reduce the amount of highly flammable eucalyptus available to burn during wildfire season." - CNET: A World Without Koalas
Benefits of Koalas
Wildfire Control
Eucalyptus have highly flammable leaves. By eating large quantities each day, koalas help reduce fire impact.
Soil Nutrition
Koala dung helps recycle nutrients, enriching forest soil, which helps boost the ecosystem's health.
Pollination
It is believed that koalas may help pollinate plants and spread seeds when traveling between trees.
Threats to Koalas
The topics in this section are listed (to the best of our ability) from greatest to lesser threats.
Habitat Loss & Deforestation
"Since Europeans first settled in Australia in 1788, Australia’s eucalyptus forests have been vanishing at an alarming rate.
More than four fifths of original Koala habitat has been destroyed. This makes it very important that we save what is left.
Koalas in the wild face a series of threats to their continued survival. The main threat is loss of habitat." - Australia Koala Foundation: Threats to the Koala
Bushfires
"Koalas are at great risk from bushfires. If a Koala population is living in an area of bushland which is surrounded by development, the whole colonly could be wiped out in a single fire." - Australia Koala Foundation: Threats to the Koala
In 2019, it was estimated that 30% of koalas were killed in NSW Mid-North Coast Fires. - Australias Environment Minister Says Up to 30% of Koalas Killed in NSW Mid-North Coast Fires
Land Clearing
"Clearing of the land for expansion of human settlement, for example, for agriculture, housing, mining, forestry, shops, factories and roads. While humans need these modern conveniences, we should be trying to put them in places where Koalas and other wildlife are not already living, and to think of other solutions to the problems of modern life, such as improving public transport. Click here for more information on Koala habitat.
Clearing of the eucalypt forests means that all wildlife, including Koalas, will suffer from:
loss of habitat
increased disturbance by humans
injury or death from traffic
injury or death from dogs and cats
effects of garden pesticides getting into waterways
increased competition for food and territory because of overcrowding
increased stress on animals, making them more susceptible to disease." - Australia Koala Foundation: Threats to the Koala
Deforestation for Livestock
Cattle and sheep farming (in that order) are the two greatest drivers of deforestation in Australia.
"About 90% of native vegetation in the eastern temperate zone has been removed for agriculture, industry, transport and human habitation.[1]
About 50% of Australia’s rainforests have been cleared and the proportion of Australia covered by forest or woodland has been reduced by more than a third [1]" - Bush Heritage Australia: Land Clearing
Cattle & Sheep Grazing
"An analysis of the imagery for Unearthed has identified 13,500 hectares of deforestation since 2018 – an area more than twice the size of Manhattan – across 57 beef cattle properties in Queensland, Australia."
"The forests cleared, which primarily consist of Australia’s indigenous trees acacia and eucalyptus – include habitat for threatened species such as koalas, flying foxes, quolls, and several endangered species of bird and frog. "
"“Millions of native animals, including Australia’s iconic koala are killed or left homeless when bulldozers destroy their habitat.” " - Australian beef industry linked to destruction of forests home to endangered species
Dieback
"Changes in the balance of the ecosystem can lead to dieback. The cutting back of the original vast forests has created patches of forest separated from each other by treeless land. Small, isolated patches of forest are prone to dieback. Dieback is a general term for the gradual dying of trees due to factors such as land degradation, leaching of soil nutrients, changes in the composition of vegetation communities, rising water levels underground, salination (or salting-up) of the soil, erosion caused by wind and water, exposure to weather and excessive defoliation (or loss of leaves)
The underlying cause of all these factors appears to be the clearing and disturbance of forests. Seventy five percent of the main Koala food tree species are declining in numbers as a result of dieback." - Australia Koala Foundation: Threats to the Koala
Cars & Dogs
"When habitat is cleared for roads and housing estates, cars and dogs become a serious threat to Koalas. Over 4000 Koalas are killed each year by cars and dogs. Click here for more information about Koalas and dogs." - Australia Koala Foundation: Threats to the Koala
Disease
Chlamydia
"There are four common Koala diseases caused by the chlamydia organism: conjunctivitis which can cause blindness, pneumonia, urinary tract infections and reproductive tract infections, which can cause female infertility. The symptoms of chlamydia manifest as sore eyes, chest infections, and “wet bottom” or “dirty tail”. Chlamydia is harmless in populations with unlimited resources, but manifests in times of stress, which happens when habitat is reduced. In disease-free populations which have been moved to areas where they were not native or where there is not enough habitat to support them (such as on some islands off Victoria and Kangaroo Island in South Australia), problems with overpopulation have arisen because of this unnatural situation. Koalas also suffer from a range of cancers like leukemia and skin cancers. Click here to learn more about Koala disease and injury." - Australia Koala Foundation: Threats to the Koala
Inbreeding from Habitat Fragmentation
This problem can occur in any species that lives in isolated areas (such as islands, cut off valleys, or isolated lakes and seas), as well as places artificial dissected by farm land, road ways, or garden walls. The problem is much worse as a species numbers dwindle.
Predators & Invasive Species
"Today the natural predators of the Koala do not make a significant impact on wild populations. They include goannas dingoes, powerful owls, wedge-tailed eagles, and pythons, all of which are most likely to prey upon juvenile Koalas." - Australia Koala Foundation: Threats to the Koala
Cats and Foxes
These invasive animals were brought to Australia by white settlers, and these animals have killed many native species, including koalas. - Australia Koala Foundation: Threats to the Koala
Droughts
Climate change is causing more drought, and more severe droughts. These not only make water scarce for wildlife, but also stress out, or even kill trees.
Swimming Pools
Like many other animals, koalas can fall into swimming pools and drown. Covering pools while not in use, or adding wildlife ramps can help prevent needless deaths.
Solutions
Habitat Protections
Support getting the Koala Protection Act enacted to ensure Koalas and their habitat are protected.
"“Every day the NSW Government is allowing the Forestry Corporation to cut down mature Koala feed trees in public forests, and farmers to bulldoze them, while their propaganda arm goes into over-drive pretending that Koalas don’t need their feed trees.
“We know that Koalas only utilise certain individuals of certain species, and that the larger those trees are the more they use them. Protecting these key trees and allowing others to mature is essential for Koala’s survival.
“If the NSW Government is sincere about saving Koalas they need to ensure thorough surveys of potential habitat before clearing or logging is allowed, and to protect any core Koala habitat found.
“For a start they can ditch their current policy that if a logger sees a Koala in a tree they just wait for it to leave before they cut its home down, Mr. Pugh said." - Save Habitat to Save Koalas
Improve Habitat Connectivity
Connectivity can include planting/protecting native trees, creating holes in fences for wildlife, wildlife bridges or underpasses (different species may only use one or the other type of biopasses). Places with swimming pools or ponds should also ensure that fallen koalas can safely climb back out.
Riparian trees not only offer food for koalas, but can help increase habitat connectivity that also includes abundant water, cooler temperatures, as well as additional flood and pollution protection for communities.
Support Conservation Organizations & Sanctuaries
Scroll down to the Organizations section to learn about which groups you can donate to, volunteer with, or otherwise support.
Wildlife-Friendly Gardening & Farming
Bush & Wildlife Gardens
Plant Native Species
In all of these options (and more) it's always best to plant native plants.
Pollution & Pesticide-Free Lanscapes
Be A Responsible Pet Owner
If you live in or visit Australia follow basic steps to prevent your pet and koalas from being injured or killed.
Dog Owners
Keep dogs on leashes when outside, and check for koalas or other wildlife in the area before letting your animals roam freely in a garden or dog park.
Cat Owners
Keep cats inside, or put them on a leash or into a secure cat carrier when outside. Cats have killed billions of wild animals, even driven many to extinction, and they continue this trend due to irrisponsible cat owners not following basic cat care rules.
Support Koala Rescue & Conservation Efforts
A 59 second video teaching you how to spot a healthy koala, and what to do if you think one is sick or in distress.
Report Sightings
Friends of the Koala: Report Koala Sightings "Online sightings are not monitored daily! Have you just spotted a sick, injured or dead koala? Or are you unsure if the koala needs help? Please call our koala rescue hotline immediately."
Volunteer
You can volunteer directly with organizations such as Friends of the Koala
Resources
Koala Protection & Rescue
Legal Protections for Koalas
Rescues & Reporting Sightings
Friends of the Koala: Report Koala Sightings "Online sightings are not monitored daily! Have you just spotted a sick, injured or dead koala? Or are you unsure if the koala needs help? Please call our koala rescue hotline immediately."
Koala-Friendly Infrastructure & Landscapes
Habitat Restoration for Landholders "You can help save koalas on your property with the restoration of koalas habitat, tree-planting and more!"
Koala Beach: A Model for Koala-Friendly Development (PDF) this document lists some of the principles that have helped to protect koalas and other wildlife.
Site Assessment
The Spot Assessment Technique (PDF) "a tool for determining localised levels of habitat use by Koalas Phascolarctos cinereus"
Plant Native Plants
Friends of the Koala: Community Native Plant Nursery Northern Rivers "your go-to nursery for native plant species in the Northern Rivers. We're on a mission to protect and boost the local koala population by promoting the growth of native eucalyptus plants they rely on for survival.
Living With Koalas
Living With Koalas – How Can You Help To Protect Them? Lean how to make landscapes, pools, and even driving less hazardous to your koala neighbors.
Habitat Threats
Deforestation
Organizations
Oceana
Australia
The Australian Koala Foundation "(AKF) is the principal non-profit, non-government organisation dedicated to the effective management and conservation of the Koala and its habitat. Our main goals are to refine and update the Koala Habitat Atlas mapping of all wild Koala habitat and to get the Koala Protection Act enacted to ensure Koalas and their habitat are protected."
Friends of the Koala "is the only organisation in the world that focuses on all aspects of koala conservation, to ensure their survival right now and for generations to come.
Through habitat protection and restoration, 24/7 rescue, the East Coast’s largest Koala Hospital and ground-breaking research, we do what it takes to ensure their survival. But we need your help to save koalas."John Oliver Koala Chlamydia Ward at the Australia Zoo's Wildlife Hospital "With our support, the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital is giving injured wildlife a second chance. Over a twelve month period, between 9,000 and 10,000 animals are brought to the hospital for lifesaving treatment. Now, as one of the world’s largest and busiest purpose-built wildlife hospitals, we’re playing a vital role in saving Australia’s native species, one life at a time."
Volunteer Opportunities
International
Friends of the Koala: Volunteer "have the support of nearly 240 amazing volunteers here in Lismore, Northern Rivers and around the world, who dedicate their time and energy to our cause." Positions include direct care and rescue, educational volunteers, plant nursery support, and even hotline workers.
Oceana
Australia
New South Wales
Friends of the Koala: Volunteer "have the support of nearly 240 amazing volunteers here in Lismore, Northern Rivers and around the world, who dedicate their time and energy to our cause." Positions include direct care and rescue, educational volunteers, plant nursery support, and even hotline workers.