The fluffy mammals will be officially listed as endangered in Australia where the population has been in rapid decline due to drought, fires and deforestation
The koala population has fallen by up to 61 per cent in parts of Australia in the last two decades (
Image: Getty Images)
Koalas will soon be added to the list of endangered species in an attempt to protect dwindling populations in Australia.
The decision will be announced on Friday by Environment Minister Sussan Ley following a recommendation from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee.
Koalas are currently listed as vulnerable across Queensland, New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory – but it is hoped an endangered listing will help to tackle the threats to koala populations.
“The impact of prolonged drought, followed by the Black Summer bushfires, and the cumulative impacts of disease, urbanisation and habitat loss over the past twenty years have led to the advice,” Ms Ley said.
The politician wants Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria to sign up for a national recovery plan worth more than £26 million over four years, according to MailOnline.
Australia is taking ‘unprecedented action’ to protect the koala
(
Image:
Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The animals are native to the country
(
Image:
Getty Images)
She added” “We are taking unprecedented action to protect the koala, working with scientists, medical researchers, veterinarians, communities, states, local governments and Traditional Owners.”
The number of koalas in New South Wales has fallen by between 33 and 61 per cent since 2001, with at least 6,400 deaths during the bushfires of 2019 and 2020.
Many koala populations are also vulnerable to Chlamydia and it usually manifests when they are in stressful situations.
The disease can cause blindness and reproductive tract infections.
Koala populations are also vulnerable to Chlamydia
(
Image:
Getty Images)
Concerns were raised that the koala would likely become extinct before mid-century without critical intervention, according to a state parliamentary inquiry in 2020.
Since 2001, koala numbers in Queensland wee found to have at least halved because of fires, drought and deforestation.
The marsupial is being listed as endangered by the federal government while it continues its efforts to downgrade the Great Barrier Reef’s UNESCO listing to “in danger.”
But the Government said it does not believe the two can be prepared and do not believe that the two can be repaired
The Government does not believe the two can be compared and said that the reef should not be singled out because climate change is affecting all World Heritage sites.
Read More
Read More