LEARN ABOUT KOALAS
The koala is one of the world’s most iconic animal species – right up there with the panda, tiger, elephant, dolphin, and polar bear. And they're found nowhere else in the world but Australia!
Our much-loved koalas, with their stocky, tailless body, big head with round, fluffy ears and large, oval-shaped nose, are instantly recognisable as a symbol of Australian nature.
However, koalas in New South Wales, Queensland and ACT are now listed as endangered. Without urgent action we could loose koalas forever by 2050.
Habitat destruction, disease, climate change and extreme weather events, including bushfires and floods, are all having significant impact on koalas.
Read on to learn more about koalas and the threats they are facing.
Species bio
Common Name
Koala
Scientific Name
Phascolarctos cinereus
Indigenous Name
gula, burbi, bandurbah, dunggir, and bandjurah - Bundjalung (Qld) burraga, gulamany - Darug (NSW) barrandhang, gurabaan, naagun - Wiradjuri (NSW) kulla - Dippil (NSW) gula - Ngunnawal (ACT) Gurrborra - Woi wurrung (Vic.)
Stats
Length: 50-80cm
Weight: A koala’s size is dependent on what part of Australia it lives in. The biggest koalas live in the south and can weigh up to 10kg, while in North Queensland, they weigh as little as 5.5kg.
Distribution: Throughout eucalyptus forests in eastern Australia - from North Queensland to across New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia.
Status
Endangered (EPBC Act – Qld, NSW, ACT only)
Did you know?
Here are some of our favourite interesting facts about koalas.
Threats
Tree-clearing
Sadly, koala trees and habitats are being destroyed or fragmented because of landclearing for agriculture and urban development. Not only does this lead to fewer trees for koalas to eat and sleep in, it also means koalas must spend more time on the ground when moving from tree to tree. Once down there, they are much more vulnerable to being hit by cars and attacked by dogs, while elevated levels of stress make them prone to sickness and diseases like Chlamydia.
Climate change
Changing weather patterns and a warming climate are putting pressure on many of Australia’s ecosystems and animals. Drier weather means the eucalyptus leaves koalas rely on contain less moisture. Prolonged droughts and extremely high temperatures, like heatwaves, can also make koalas very sick and dehydrated, as well as increase the risk and severity of bushfires during summer.
What you can do to help
Learning about wildlife and nature loss is the best and most important way you can make a difference right now. Check out our new koala-focused lessons created by Cool.org and made possible thanks to Australia Post, a proud supporter of WWF-Australia.
If you’d like to do even more, you can support a healthy future for people, nature and Aussie wildlife by taking part in Wear it Wild! Ways to get involved in Wear it Wild include:
- Wear it Wild and dress as your favourite animal!
- Make a Wear it Wild mask or give face painting a try.
- Organise a Wear it Wild bake sale.
Wear it Wild is just one of the ways you, or your family and friends, can get involved in Earth Hour, the world’s biggest movement to protect our planet and shine a spotlight on nature loss. Find out more about Earth Hour here.
Did you know there could be koalas or other threatened wildlife living near you? Discover what animals need protection in your local area using
WWF-Australia’s ‘My Backyard’ tool, and find out how well they’re being cared for.
