Koalas are tree-dwellers. They live in gum leaves, eat gum leaves and breathe gum leaves. These trees are their protection. They live where gum trees are, which is mostly around the east coasts of Australia. They use gum trees as protection from predators such as dogs and snakes. So you see, if people cut down their precious trees, where would they live? What would they eat? Where would they find such good protection?
The main threat to Koalas are loss of habitat. People are cutting down the trees to make room for houses, units or factories. They are also being cut down for paper. If all the gum trees are being cut down and the koalas lose their habitats, they wouldn't be able to get food, shelter or protection, resulting in extinction. If we don't do anything about it, and the koalas keep on loosing their habitats, they will be exposed to other threats that will cause their extinction such as:
- increased disturbance by humans
- injury or death from traffic
- injury or death from dogs and cats
- effects of garden pesticides getting into waterways
- increased competition for food and territory because of overcrowding
- increased stress on animals, making them more susceptible to disease.
How can we help?
There are many ways for civilians to help reduce the threat to the Koala's habitats. these include:
There are many ways for civilians to help reduce the threat to the Koala's habitats. these include:
- recycling paper and other materials that are made from trees.
- donating to charities that help the koalas
- foster a koala
- tell others about the habitat loss
- working together with your community to save the koalas
This is a map of where koalas are most likely to be found (occur), and where they can be found. It also shows where the koalas species and habitats are listed a vulnerable.
The perspectives of different groups regarding the status of Koalas:
- Noosa residents are complaining about the loss of habitats of the koalas that live around the coast. The developers are planning to put in space for more residents, cutting out some of the koalas habitat. The residents are trying to make a koala protection levy, and are trying to get sponsors. They are doing this because they are against the extinction of koalas and loss of habitats.
- The Australian Koala Foundation are trying to save the koalas. They have many things that the public can do to help the koalas such as, sponsoring a koala, donating and more. A quote from their website is 'Koalas do not harm anyone. They live in our backyards. It's up to us to keep them alive and healthy in the bush.' this is a quote to help inspire the public and community to help preserve the koala's habitat and species.