Are Koalas Endangered Animals?

Koalas, often mistakenly referred to as bears, are marsupials indigenous to Australia. Marsupials are animals whose young are birthed prematurely, then develop further in the mother's pouch. The koala's natural habitat is the eucalyptus tree, since the eucalyptus leaf is its primary food source.

  1. History

    • Although there were once millions of koalas in the wild, the Australian Koala Foundation estimates that fewer than 100,000 remain. This was a result of the colonization of Australia, which brought changes to the koala's natural habitat and introduced additional threats.

    Geography

    • Koalas can be found in four Australian states: Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia (see reference 1).

    Endangered Status

    • Each Australian state determines whether an animal is endangered. The koala is listed as common, rare, and vulnerable, but not endangered. The koala is listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, which is one category below endangered (see reference 2).

    Threats

    • The main threats to the koala population are habitat loss, dog attacks, car accidents, disease, and bush fires (see reference 1).

    Significance

    • Eighty percent of koala habitat has already disappeared, and the Australian Koala Foundation estimates that 4,000 koalas are killed yearly by dogs and cars.

    Considerations

    • Although koalas are protected under law, 80 percent of their remaining habitat is part of privately owned land, which is not protected by law (see reference 1).