As dozens of bushfires raged through the eastern coast of Australia, one of the continent’s most iconic animals has been simultaneously fighting extinction. Koalas have headlined the media over the last several months where disturbing images of burned and dying koalas have emerged. Unlike other species domestic to Australia, Koalas move at quite a slow speed leaving them defenseless, essentially getting stuck in harm’s way.
The current Koala population is also being threatened by land development, food degradation, drought, fires, dog attacks, vehicles, and chlamydia.
Prior to the devastating Australian bushfires, Koalas had already been listed as vulnerable to extinction, placing them one step above endangered. As of 2016, experts estimated there were approximately 329,000 koalas living in Australia, depicting a 24% decline in the species population over the past three generations. In light of the island country’s recent fires, thousands of additional koalas have also lost their lives, increasing the population’s decline to an even more staggering rate.
However, good news, Koalas are not yet extinct! Together we can make a difference, but we are going to need your help!
