These adorable creatures are on brink of total extinction: Who are they?
Another species of animals has been endangered (Photo: unsplash.com)
Over the past few years, ecologists have been actively reminding us that excessive technological progress and human interference in the natural world will lead to the extinction of many animal species. It has been revealed that Australian koalas have now been classified as endangered, according to Express.
What's known
Dozens of injured koalas have been brought to the veterinary hospital at the University of Sydney. Their habitat has become encircled by residential development.
Construction work is cutting off crucial habitats and migration corridors, leaving the animals at risk. Local residents' dogs have also been attacking koalas.
Australian scientists fear that by 2050, the koala species may disappear entirely, so they are fighting for their survival today.
Steph Carrick says that koalas are incredibly territorial, so they need space for living and breeding. Deforestation for development also has a negative impact on koala existence. Veterinarians explain that the animals often become lost in new settlements and encounter various dangers.
For example, in 2023 alone, 10% of the koala population was killed by cars, and the animals did not survive.
The koala species is under the threat of extinction (Photo: Freepik)
Koalas are only found in eastern Australia, along the coasts of Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria.
Their exact population is unknown, but tens of thousands perished during the period of intense forest fires in 2019-2020. In February 2022, they were added to the list of endangered species.
Scientists emphasize the importance of protecting their habitat above all to preserve the species.
Currently, there have been changes in the Australian government, so the next few months will be crucial for the future of koalas. Authorities must review development plans and change regulations to preserve the territory for these animals.
Background
Koalas live in eucalyptus forests, spending nearly all of their lives in trees. They feed on leaves, which they carefully chew with their teeth and store in their cheeks. In a day, a koala consumes up to one kilogram of leaves.
During the day, koalas sleep, with their sleep duration reaching 20-21 hours per day. At night, these animals move along tree branches in search of food. Even when a koala is awake, it often sits still for hours.
Koalas only come down to the ground to move to another tree. Unlike sloths, koalas are quite agile and swift. If they sense danger, they quickly escape to the nearest tree and climb up. Additionally, koalas can swim.
Earlier, we talked about a rare species of birds that may also face extinction. Only five of them remain in the world.
