Sadly, Koalas may now be listed as an endangered species because of the devastating toll that the Australian bushfires have took on the animals.
The consideration to list Koalas as an endangered species comes as the Australian bushfires have decimated the Koala population over recent weeks. Tragically, the fires have destroyed an alarming amount of the Koala population - in just over a few weeks since the Australian bushfires began, it is estimated that a massive 25,000 Koalas have at least been burnt to their death on Kangaroo Island. The population of Koalas on Kangaroo Island before the fires took place was 50,000 Koalas, this means that half - or more than half - of all Koalas on Kangaroo Island have been killed as a result of the fires.
What Was The Koala Population Before The Bushfires?
The population of Koalas before the Australian bushfires was estimated to have been between 48,000 and 85,000.
Koalas were already in serious decline before these fires. The population of Koalas was much higher in 1788, when the population of Koalas across Australia was 10 million animals. These cute marsupials have declined significantly since European settlers settled on Australia.
Over the last six years, the population of Koalas have also declined significantly. The IUCN estimated that the Koala population in 2014 was between 100,000 and 500,000 animals. The IUCN last assessed Koalas in 2014, where they estimated that 100,000 to 500,000 Koalas existed in the wild, however, the IUCN also classed them as vulnerable to extinction.
What Are The Population Of Koalas After The Bushfires?
The population of Koalas since 2014, specifically because of the recent bushfires, has resulted in a population which is now very different in 2020.
With 25,000 Koalas estimated to have been killed because of the fires, it could now mean that their new population in 2020 could be 23,000 to 60,000 Koalas. Therefore, reclassifying them as an endangered species.
A Destruction Of Their Habitat Could Further Harm Koalas
The destruction of the Koalas habitat could further harm Koalas. It has been estimated that a staggering 80% of the Koalas habitat has been destroyed by the Australian bushfires. The fires have been so destructive for Koalas and their habitats that there are fears that Koalas will never recover.
Ecologists fear that rainforests - the Koalas habitat - will never grow back because of the fires. They also fear that billions of animals have been killed as a result of the fires, and that many animals could become extinct because of the fires. This could be the beginning of the end for animals in Australia.
How Can You Help Animals In Australia?
There are several ways that you can help animals and Koalas in Australia that have been suffering from the bushfires.
Many animals have been affected because of the bushfires, so any help you can give to help these animals makes all the difference!
Here are some ways that you can help them:
. Adopt a Koala with the Save the Koalas.