How can you prevent koalas from becoming extinct?

Answer 1

Koalas are not close to becoming extinct, nor are they even endangered, but their conservation status varies from region to region in Australia. The koala has been a protected species since earlier in the twentieth century, and this action has brought it back from the brink of extinction. Koalas are a protected native species and many things are being done or trialled to prevent their becoming vulnerable in other areas.

One of the best ways for the average person to help save koalas is to donate to the various organisations that protect animals, and this could help minimise the chance of the koala moving closer to extinction.

Although not endangered, the koala is certainly vulnerable in some parts of Australia. In southeast Queensland, for example, where the population growth has resulted in too many housing developments, the koala's population is expected to be extinct by 2020. Here, various local organisations are working to preserve koala habitats and protect them from being destroyed by urbanisation. Habitat loss is the major threat to koalas.

It is up to the individual state governments in Australia to determine how koalas are best helped. Trials have been done to build special passages (as mentioned above) for koalas to travel under roadways to reach feeding grounds. For many years, the Redland Shire (now city) of southeast Queensland maintained speed limits on roads for certain seasons of the year and times of the day, to minimise the risk of koalas been hit by cars. The trials were unsuccessful, and subsequently scrapped. Other trials have seen the management of housing estates, where the keeping of domestic pets such as dogs is tightly controlled, to minimise danger to koalas. In some areas, eco-passages have been built for koalas and other native wildlife to safely cross over or under busy roadways.

An increasing problem is also the disease Chlamydia, which renders female koalas infertile and causes premature death. Scientists are working to find a cure but, as yet, the disease cannot be stopped.

Some housing developers try to "buy" government approval for large housing estates by including plans for koala hospitals to be built within their areas of planned development. Sometimes local governments will not compromise the safety of koalas with such a ridiculous scheme, and refuse approval for such housing applications. Research on koala needs is constantly being carried out, and other areas have koala and native wildlife hospitals anyway, seeing a need for such a facility with the increasing numbers of koalas being injured by cars, people or dogs.

Initially there were no koalas in Western Australia, and South Australia's population had been wiped out by the 1920s. This has now been reversed. Kangaroo Island off the coast of SA and isolated islands off Victoria's coast have actually seen an overpopulation problem due to these protected colonies. New colonies have been established in Western Australia, and the koalas are breeding quite successfully.

Individuals can help the koalas from being endangered by practising responsible pet ownership and keeping our dogs locked up at night. Do not let pet dogs wander without supervision, as they are one of the biggest threats to koalas. In known koala areas, drive carefully, as koalas will wander across a street in their home range of eucalyptus trees without regard for oncoming traffic.

The related link below will take you to the Australian Koala Foundation, where you can learn more about protecting the species.

In summary:

There are two major threats to the koala.

• Habitat loss. Urban development has greatly encroached on the koala's habitat, bringing with it dangers such as dogs and cars.
• The disease chlamydia, which renders koalas infertile

Therefore, the main way to prevent the extinction of this iconic creature is through managed fauna sanctuaries, run by qualified staff, where the koalas are free to roam among a variety of eucalypt trees, and where those animals suffering injury or disease are able to get the best treatment.

Answer 2

Although, as of 2011, koalas are not officially endangered, they are still vulnerable, and there are very real fears that they may become extinct in the future. To prevent this from happening, individuals need to raise awareness of the koalas' specialised habitat needs, and increase awareness of how much bushland is cut down for housing and roads.

Housing developments lead to an increase in the number of domestic dogs roaming through bushland, and dogs are one of the koalas' biggest killers. In addition, too many people allow their pets to wander unsupervised. If you are someone who lives in a known koala area, then ensure your dog is always well supervised.

Developments and land clearing also lead to more roads. Koalas have a range of home trees, and their territory is often split by roads through new urban developments. As a result, when koalas try to wander from one of their home range trees to another, they are hit by cars. If drivers slowed down through area where koalas are known to wander, there would be fewer deaths again.