Main image via Scroll.in + The Australian + University of Adelaide
Though we recently shared some great news that the Australian Wildlife Park welcomed its first baby koala since the devastating bushfires, unfortunately we come bearing some sad news this time around.
According to a recent report, koalas in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) may face extinction in the next 30 years.
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Unless the Australia government immediately intervenes to protect the koalas of NSW and their habitat, a parliamentary inquiry has determined that these koalas could be extinct by 2050.
The year-long investigation found that land clearing for agriculture, urban development, mining and forestry has been the “biggest factor in the fragmentation and loss of habitat for the animals in NSW, the country’s most populous state, over several decades,” Malay Mail writes.
Climate change has also posed a major ongoing threat to the animals by exacerbating bushfires and droughts, and reducing the quality of the koala’s eucalyptus leaf diet.
About 5,000 koalas are thought to have perished in the devastating bushfires earlier this year, the report to state parliament noted.
Image via The Australian
Commissioned by a multi-party parliamentary committee, the report urges lawmakers to ensure that the remaining koala populations do not perish in rapidly diminishing habitats, by making 42 recommendations, including an urgent census, prioritizing the protection of koalas in the planning of urban development, establishing new national parks in identified areas, reducing land clearing, and increasing conservation funding.
The bushfires in the past year scorched more than five million hectares statewide and affected 24% of koala habitats, the report noted.
“The evidence could not be more stark,” the final report stated. “The only way our children’s grandchildren will see a koala in the wild in NSW will be if the government acts upon the committee’s recommendations.”
Image via University of Adelaide
"At every turn we were handed evidence that showed our current laws are inadequate and facilitating the clearing of core koala habitat," said chairwoman Cate Faehrmann. "The strategies and policies currently in place to protect the koala aren't working."
While the state government welcomed the report, there was no immediate confirmation was made on which recommendations it would adopt.
"Koalas are an iconic Australian animal recognised the world over and a national treasure which we will do everything we can to protect for future generations," said state Environment Minster Matt Kean.
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Koalas can also be found in Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory but according to conservation groups, their numbers are declining nationally.
We hope that these adorable koalas will be saved and won’t be extinct in NSW by 2050!
Have you met a koala in real life before? Share your koala story with us!
Info via Malay Mail + BBC