OUR furry national treasures are sadly declining in population, with the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) recently releasing alarming figures.
Since 2018, there has been an estimated 30 percent decline in Koalas across Australia, with populations estimated to be between 32,065 – 57,920 down from 45,745 – 82,170 in 2018.
AKF has invested millions of dollars and 30 years of research into the creation of the Koala Habitat Atlas, and periodically they revise the Koala population.
“The terrible bushfires of 2019-20 of course contributed to this outcome, however, they are certainly not the only reason we are seeing Koala populations on the decline,” said Chair of the Australian Koala Foundation, Deborah Tabart OAM.
“We have witnessed a drastic decrease in inland populations because of drought, heat waves, and lack of water for Koalas to drink. I have seen some landscapes with dead and dying trees everywhere.
“Each and every federal politician should now be on notice to protect not only the koalas in their electorate but the habitat that remains. The good news is that in many cases there is good habitat left. Now is the time to get into action and get them full again. That is what Koala recovery looks like.”
