May 2012
5 May 2012
Woohoo! Wonderful news for koalas around Australia this week, with Federal Minister for the Environment Tony Burke announcing our furry little mates have been classified as 'vulnerable' and added to the threatened species list in Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT.
The classification means greater protection for our national icon, with tougher measures in place for developers wishing to clear or build upon koala habitat, and $300,000 pledged for further research into the species' dwindling population.
Koala numbers over the past twenty years have dropped by 40 per cent in Queensland, a third in New South Wales, and sadly there are no remaining wild koalas in the ACT. Populations remain steady in Victoria and South Australia.
Figures from the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital show the number of sick and injured koalas from south east Queensland is on the rise, with 836 admitted for treatment in 2011.
Then and Now
In 2004
377 koalas admitted
- 54 attacked by domestic dogs
- 162 victims of car hits
- 77 suffering Chlamydiosis and other diseases
In 2007
574 koalas admitted
- 73 attacked by domestic dogs
- 148 victims of car hits
- 225 suffering Chlamydiosis and other diseases
In 2011
836 koalas admitted
- 71 attacked by domestic dogs
- 208 victims of car hits
- 355 suffering Chlamydiosis and other diseases
3 Zoo Comments
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ashley rossow from nsw 14th September 2012 11:51:11 AEST
I can't believe koalas are now under threaterned species list. Our cute fuzzy koalas are of our nations icons and close to extinction. Good luck to AZ and helping are precious koalas SAVE THE KOALAS!!!
Gail from London 11th May 2012 16:23:42 AEST
Surely it should be the other way round!! If this beautiful animal was given the obvious protection it needed in the first place, then it wouldn't now be vulnerable. Prevention is better than cure comes to mind. You also don't have to be a Rocket Scientist to see where the problem lies. Shocking, horrendous statistics and completely preventable. These figures can be turned around so easily with a bit more thought, care and respect from their human neighbours. Take away the immense stress these darlings are obviously under at the moment with such big changes going on to their environment, and you'll see the levels of Chlamydiosis decline.Koalas in my back yard - what a privilege. Take care all at AZ. xx
Dawn Sutton Viertlbeck 10th May 2012 13:13:39 AEST
Very good news indeed. Me mum was an Aussie n proud of it, as I am. Koalas were her favourite! We even had some here in Toledo for a time.