What is a Koala?:

The Koala which many times is called a "Koala Bear" has no relation to a bear at all. Although it is bear-like, it is a marsupial and it is closely related to kangaroos and wombats. This small, nocturnal mammal gets its name from the ancient aboriginal word "no drink" since it rarely drinks water. Most koalas have ash grey fur, small ears, bulbous nose, and almost no tail. These animals can grow to be about 2 ft. tall and up to 30 pounds. They have an average life span of about 17 years but is slowly being reduced with their endangerment.

Environment:

Koalas used to range all across Australia, but today they can only be found Queensland, New South Whales, Victoria, and South Australia. These animals live in coastal islands, low woodlands, and their favorite eucalyptus forests. Koalas live off of eucalyptus leaves and are one of the only animals that can do so because of their accomodated digestive system that allows the digestion of all the oils and poison found in these leaves. Most of the time these animals sleep in the fork of an eucalyptus tree since they are nocturnal and browse around during the night for food. Although these animals live in a "society" they are very independent and prefer to be alone most of the time.

Breeding:

Female Koalas begin to breed at about age three or four. They mate between September and March and and go through a gestation period of 35 days. A new born koala is referred to as a "joey" and is born blind, hairless, and as big as a jellybean. As soon as its born the joey clims into its mother pouch unattended with just the use of its strong sense of smell, forelimbs and claws. There it reamins for about 6 months where it survives off its mother's milk and remains there up until the next season of "joey's". While in the pouch it receives a substance called "pap" that helps develop its digestive system and prepare it for the consumption of eucalyptus leaves when its older. It is believed that the longer a young joey is kept in the mothers pouch the better its chances of survival.

Threats:

Koalas are endangered today because the the daily threats they are faced with daily. A decline in the number of koalas has been occurring since the 1920's when the european settlers arrived in the region up until now. Koalas are dying out for various reasons such as habitat destruction, traffic deaths, land clearing, and bushfires. The habitat destruction and land clearing, which has occurred to 80% of the land which koalas live on, is due to humans needing fertile land for farming and the need of trees, specificallt eucalyptus trees. Traffic deaths which are do to distracted drivers and attacks by dogs and cats kill approximately 4000 koalas a year. Also, because the koalas have limited space, they are overcrowded in the region they live in and must compete for food and resources.

What is Being Done?:

The endangerment of koalas has had a major impact on people all over and because of this many organizations are being formed to try and protect these animals. Organizations such as Australian Koala Foundation and the Wildlife Preservation Society have created breeding programs to help the koala population increase and koala reserves where the koalas can live in their normal habitat while still receiving the protection it needs. Also moving the koalas to areas where there are less of them helps in order to relieve overcrowding. But what is truly helpful is the help this animal is receiving from the government. In Australia the government has passed laws prohibiting koala hunting and they have stopped giving permits of exportation of koala furs. And even though this can't completely stop the declining of the koala bear and really does help and makes a difference.

Resources:

- Koalas

-Koala Bear Facts

-What is being Done to save Koalas?

-911 for Koalas