Please help koalas by supporting the Australian Koala Foundation. Humans are the main cause of this by pollution, deliberately lit bushfires, human settlement and seeking resources. This article is more than 10 months old. One of the main reasons koalas are endangered in some areas is the destruction of native eucalyptus forest habitats. Koalas should be given endangered listing, environment groups say. As a result, there is no genetic diversity," he says. Climate Change: “We’re not going to see koalas go extinct this fast,” says Chris Johnson, … Why are koalas an endangered species? But, experts say, we are not looking at the death of a species—yet. Koala Lifestyle The koala is sometimes referred to as the "koala bear"; however they are not bears at all, in fact they are marsupials. Instead, the leaves have low nutritious value, with high fibre content, making them very slow to digest. Koalas are considered vulnerable to extinction—just a step above endangered—and reports indicate that between 350 and a thousand koalas have been found dead so far in fire-devastated zones of northern New South Wales. Calls to declare koalas endangered as population declines by two-thirds in 20 years. It is featured in advertisements, games, cartoons, and as soft toys. A caretaker at one of them, the Cuc Phuong National Park, reported that forty percent of pangolins die within a day or two of their rescue [23]. In 1966, the commission made whaling illegal and the Endangered Species Convention Act listed the blue whale as endangered. This myth possibly arose as a way of explaining why Koalas sleep for up to 22 hours a day. People come from all over the world to see koalas at wildlife parks and zoos. A huge problem our current world is facing is the several endangered species. Now, whaling isn’t considered a major threat to whales, but there are several other threats faced why these mammals today, which we have discussed below. Not extinct. Noah Greenwald, the endangered species director at the Center for Biological Diversity, said there might have been around 300,000 koalas in Australia in 2016. The koala is the quintessential Australian animal, known globally and much loved. Providing a free service to the community to rescue sick and injured wildlife. Tucked into forks or nooks in the trees, koalas may sleep for 18 to 22 hours. But eucalyptus trees – the koalas’ only food source – are being destroyed at an alarming rate. This 8-month-old joey, shown being weighed with the aid of a cuddly toy, is one of the only Queensland koalas in the UK. Red pandas are tree-dwelling mammals native to the forests of the Himalayas. Why Koalas Are Endangered; Why Koalas Are Endangered. Baby koalas acquire their taste for specific varieties by adulthood. When they are trafficked alive, they are not fed or given water, so they are dehydrated. 7. Moreover, Why is a koala endangered? The first main threat to the koala began in the early 20th century when they were almost hunted to extinction for the fur trade. The koala issue is now being examined by a special Senate committee, which is expected to issue a recommendation by August whether or not to list the animals as endangered. Conservationists want koalas declared endangered on an emergency basis. Wildlife experts warn that koalas may be extinct in eastern Australia by 2050! Eucalyptus leaves are high in fiber and low in nutrients. Koala chlamydia is a serious disease By the year 1840, almost all of the California sea otters were exterminated. This fire season has been one of the worst on record in Australia. Koalas don’t have much energy and, when not feasting on leaves, they spend their time dozing in the branches. Believe it or not, they can sleep for up to 18 hours a day! It’s because the leaves are so low in nutrients that koalas need more sleep than most animals which basically helps them conserve energy. It's a common myth that gets spread around as an explanation for why koalas sleep so much! Koalas are endangered because their habitat is being destroyed. Why it matters . Deforestation, poaching, accidental trapping and an illegal pet trade have led to a large decline in wild red pandas. Despite the rumours, koalas don’t ‘get high’ or ‘drugged out’ on eucalyptus leaves. Koalas are suffering from the effects of habitat destruction, domestic dog attacks, bush fires and road accidents. Read the full answer. Why are koalas endangered when they have been living in Australia for millions of years? ... Australia Zoo plays a vital role in the ongoing fight for wildlife conservation through zoological programs such as the endangered species breeding program. At this stage, most of us know that bees are important to the natural world. Koalas are not officially endangered, and are currently not in danger of extinction. One of these species that’s on the verge of extinction is the koala. There is a common misconception that Koalas get ‘drugged out’ or ‘high’ on eucalyptus leaves and that’s why they sleep a lot. Are koalas drunk? 10) Although these beautiful creatures are protected by law, and not classed as an endangered … One billion animals are estimated to have died — among them, the iconic koala. Koalas can sleep up to 18 hours a day . From koalas to green sea turtles, the Australia Zoo Rescue Unit is dedicated to rescuing all wildlife in need. Koalas have been listed as a vulnerable species in parts of Australia since 2012, but they may be facing extinction in the state of New South Wales (NSW) in the wake of the recent wildfires. Koalas are not stationary, are patchily distributed throughout an extremely wide range encompassing urban and rural areas in four states and one … Why are Koalas Endangered? 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