Koala Bears - Status
|
|
Picture source:
Koala Bears
|
The symbol of Australia and a wonderful species of the wild, Koalas were once abundant on the area of North-eastern Queensland through the South-eastern part of the continent. With the settlement of humans and conversion of eucalyptus woodlands into farmlands, the habitat of the Koala Bear has been reduced significantly. This has led to the species decline. Worried by the threatening situation, conservationalists initialized special projects and developed programs for the preservation of this highly valued and important mammal of Australia. The end result was that the population of Koalas was enlarged in some parts of the continent. Despite the fact that the Koala range has not been reestablished completely, conservation efforts turned out to be a success.
Nowadays, the much loved Phascolarctos cinereus does not have a special status. The species is considered "lower risk/near threatened." It should be noted that the opinions about the species status differ greatly. Koala Bears - Conservation or Management?
Some scientists believe that the population of Koalas is well established now, even though the local populations do find themselves in unfavorable conditions. Moreover, in some parts of the continent, there is an urgent need to stop the population growth of Koalas since they damage eucalyptus trees. A practice of relocating Koalas from overcrowded areas has successfully been employed. Nevertheless, Australia remains to be pressed for eucalyptus woodlands areas and finding a new home for Koalas appears to be difficult. Therefore, scientists decided to introduce contraceptives in areas where the Koala population is too large.
An opposite opinion about the status of the species is that Koalas are still endangered. The adherents of this theory claim that Koalas have to face a lot of threats both from natural predators and human activities that reduce the habitat of the species. Limited to fragmented patches of eucalyptus forests, Koalas have little choice for mates, which may lead to Koalas' interbreeding with relative species. As the biodiversity of the Koala declines, the species will become more susceptible to any disease outbreaks. This can turn out to be extremely detrimental for the species.
Koala Bears - Saving the Species
Amid all the arguing concerning the species status, there is only one thing that is certain. Preservation of the Koala habitat is decisive for the species and, consequently, the ecosystem. Unlike most conservation and management measures that are costly and bring just a transitory effect, habitat maintenance will help to avoid overcrowding in favorable areas and protect Koalas from ending up as endangered.
Koala Bears - Conservation and Management Links
|
|
Picture source:
Webshots com
|
Abundant Koalas? - Federal Environment Minister Robert Hill says a decision by the United States Government to list the Koala as threatened under the US Endangered Species Act is inappropriate and unnecessary. (9 May 2000)
Animal Nation: Koalas - Habitat, status, and facts about Koalas.
AusEmade: Koalas - Description, habitat and breeding, predators, and information on the conservation.
Australian Koalas - This page contains facts about Koala habitat and distribution, diet, and threats.
BBC Nature Wildfacts: Koala - Visit this page to learn more about Koalas.
CNN: Koalas Overcrowded Down Under - One of Australia's most endearing symbols, the Koala bear, may be multiplying too fast for its own good on Kangaroo Island. CNN report (November 30, 1996).
Endangered Species: Koala - Research on the Koala with information on the species.
Explore the Zoo at Riverbanks: Koala Knockabout (Koala) - Description, range, and status in the wild.
Fears Held for Morton National Park Koalas - Serious concerns are held for the future survival of a very significant Koala population in South Eastern NSW after the bushfire, which burnt out large areas of Morton National Park. Media release - 02/12/2002.
Field Project: Australian Koalas - World Famous San Diego Zoo offers pictures of Koalas and information on conservation.
Formation of Volunteers - Outline of the Central Queensland Koala Volunteers formation.
Habitat Utilization and Population Dynamics of the Koala - Addresses broad management issues by considering: factors that affect population processes, population structure and disease, and more.
Houston Zoo: Queensland Koalas - Educate yourself about Koalas.
Husbandry and Breeding of the Koala at Duisburg Zoo - Facts about establishment of successful Koala husbandry and breeding in Duisburg.
Koala - Sleepy Tree-Dweller - A little feature from the Queensland Environment Dept., which includes information on the animal itself and the threats posed to its survival.
Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) - General description of Koalas and distribution.
Koala ARC Project - The project will develop habitat management and planning strategies and priorities for conserving and restoring Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus (Goldfuss)) populations in fragmented landscapes of eastern Australia.
Koala Centre, Daisy Hill - Information about the educational centre located near Brisbane. Contact info for enquiries, but as yet, no email link or web-site available.
|
|
Picture source:
An Albino Koala
|
Koala Centre, Daisy Hill - Information about the educational centre located near Brisbane. Contact info for enquiries, but as yet, no email link or web-site available.
Koala Description - Description, habitat, and status of the species.
Koala Ecology - Investigating the ecology of a healthy Koala population to improve conservation elsewhere. Information on the Koala Research Centre of Central Queensland.
Koala Guide - Description, life history, range, status, and special adaptations.
Koala Outline - Appearance, habitat, diet, enemies, and breeding biology.
Koala Profile - Profile of the eucalypt-eating marsupial from a school in Tasmania, with notes on threats to its survival.
Koala Rescue and Release - Born free the Koalas of Queensland are constantly under threat from dog attacks, traffic hits crossing busy roads, and the removal of much of their natural habitat.
Koalas at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary - The world's oldest and largest Koala sanctuary. Site with information about (of course) the Koala, Kangaroo, Brushtail Possum, Common Wombat, Northern Quoll, Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat, Sugar Glider, Tasmanian Devil and many other Australian animals.
Koalas on the Pill - Using contraceptives is one of the means of Koala management. Learn more.
Koalas Under Threat - Koalas need your help. With a little care the threats facing Koalas can be reduced.
Living with Koalas - Koalas are an important part of Australia's wildlife but they are under threat in South East Queensland, primarily because of habitat loss. You can play a major role in the conservation by following the information provided.
National Koala Conservation Strategy - The Koala is clearly declining in parts of its range and because of its cultural significance there is much public and scientific concern about its conservation.
Koala Foundation - Australian Koala Foundation. The site for Koala lovers, latest Koala information, gift shop, plus everything you ever wanted to know about Koalas.
Pine Creek Forest - Pine Creek contains one of the largest Koala populations on the NSW coast.
Save the Koala Day - Save the Koala Day is the day in July when groups across the country who are involved in Koala conservation get out on the street and ask people to support their information and merchandise stalls.
Strategic Town Planning - Koala Management - Summary of the Tweed Coast Koala habitat atlas and related planning matters.
Surveying Koalas - Measures such as pre-logging surveys and logging protocols that are supposed to protect this endangered and high profile species and its habitat are hopelessly inadequate. Learn more.
The Moggill Koala Hospital - Caring for sick, injured and orphaned Koalas. Queensland, Australia.
The Koala Conservation Center - Center dedicated to saving the depleting population of Koalas.
Your Environment: Koalas - An Overview of Koalas in the Port Stephens Local Government Area including the Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management CKPoM and the Koala Habitat Planning Map of Port Stephens Local Government Area.
