EcoWorldly

Australia’s koalas are in trouble.  Scientists from the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) have evidence of a drastic decline in Australia’s wild koala population and are requesting protection from the government.

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The report confirms that the koala population has drastically declined over the past decade. Evidence suggests as few as 43,000 and as many as 80,000 koalas now exist on the mainland, compared to 100,000 in previous years.   The koala population in New South Wales (NSW) now stands between 5,500 and 8,800.   It is believed steep decline in the population is due to climate change, habitat loss and urban development. Other threats to the koala have included hunting and disease.

Although accurately measuring the population of marsupials has been difficult, the AKF is confident the current data is more accurate than previous estimates.  Koalas were captured and fitted with satellite transmitters, 80,000 trees were individually measured and more than 1,000 field surveys were part of the study.

Members from the AKF are meeting with the Australian Federal Government’s Threatened Species Steering Committee (TSSC) on November 10th, 2009.  Despite previous rejections, the TSSC will again review whether or not Australia’s iconic symbol will be protected and listed as Vulnerable under the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, Australia’s threatened species legislation.

AKF CEO Deborah Tabart said listing the animal as a threatened species has political ramifications as it could impact various developments and infrastructure projects. If the TSSC rejects protecting the koala again, Tabart said she will ask for international assistance. A decision is not expected until September 2010.

Koala photo Quarti

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