Koala apocalypse?

[nanoboy]

I can't remember if I posted this article already, but here goes: Koala Rescue - Pictures, More From National Geographic Magazine

We berate developing countries for not doing more to protect their native wildlife, and yet we are pushing an iconic Aussie animal towards extinction. Sad.

 

[DavidBrown]

Is the koala really in danger of extinction, or is it stable in at least some parts of its range?

 

[nanoboy]

Is the koala really in danger of extinction, or is it stable in at least some parts of its range?

Hmm.... firstly, it should be noted (in case the article did not mention it) that the koala has been recently (as in a couple months ago) been listed as 'vulnerable' in ACT, QLD, and NSW, but not in VIC or SA. This means that there will be more vigorous environmental impact assessment/processes in place for any development that takes place in koala habitat. For this reason, the government was reluctant to change the koala's status to 'vulnerable': koalas don't vote. So, is the koala at risk of extinction from loss of habitat? Yes, but with the new 'vulnerable' status, this is probably unlikely.

Secondly, don't forget that there are other ways in which koalas are killed, such as: attacks from dogs and cats, being run over by cars, bush fires, and chlamydia. The latter is devastating koala populations, and I feel as though this disease could be the main cause of koalas teetering on the verge of extinction in a few years. bush fires have extirpated local koala populations in a few national parks in Victoria, which I think highlights their vulnerability. I have wasted many an hour searching for non-existent koalas in parks that had many animals just 5 years ago.

Thirdly, there are a few stable and well-protected populations in Australia - Kangaroo Island and French Island spring to mind - where (I think) the koalas are chlamydia free, and where dogs, cats, and foxes are not a major problem.

So, having said all of that, back to your original question: are they really in danger of extinction at the moment? I would say that although local populations are at risk of extinction,they are not at risk as a species, as long as we maintain our vigilance, and maintain populations on Kangaroo and French Islands. However, anyone who has battled "the bulge" or high blood pressure, knows that you need to keep exercising and eating right, because the minute you let your guard down, it's a slippery slope. Similarly, I think koalas need constant attention and protection or else we may just wake up one day and ask "where did the koalas go?".

 

[Monty]

I only live 50 km from a large, healthy and expanding population along the Murray River.
The major concern with this population is a fire could destroy much of it at once and since the area was recently made national park, fire prevention has stopped and a huge fire is now much more likely.

 

[DavidBrown]

I only live 50 km from a large, healthy and expanding population along the Murray River.
The major concern with this population is a fire could destroy much of it at once and since the area was recently made national park, fire prevention has stopped and a huge fire is now much more likely.

Do you guys do controlled burns in your national parks or any other type of fire ecological management?

 

[Monty]

Do you guys do controlled burns in your national parks or any other type of fire ecological management?

They do sometimes, but they are often refereed to sparks and wildfires instead of parks and wildlife.

The Red Gum forests along the Murray are actually man made as they are not very fire resistant and the forests used to be much more open with grassland. For the last 150 years they have been comertialy thinned and logged to keep it open, and this has controlled fires. Without management it will get thicker then all burn at once.