One of Australia's most famous and beloved symbols may soon disappear forever, koalas are threatened with extinction
The koala is one of the iconic animals of Australia, but despite the government is doing everything to protect this cute marsupial, his species is at risk of extinction and we may be forced to say goodbye due to the terrible eucalyptus forest fires of 2019-2020, diseases such as chlamydia and other external threats that have drastically reduced the number of specimens present in the country.
In 2012 in the east coast states of Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, koalas were a vulnerable species, but yesterday Environment Minister Sussan Ley announced on the government's official website that these animals are now part to all intents and purposes of the list of endangered species.
The news we never wanted to hear was also shared on social media by WWF Australia.
⚠️ BREAKING: The Australian Government has uplisted koalas on the east coast from Vulnerable to Endangered.
This is a bittersweet outcome, but a critical step towards reversing the decline of koala populations. #KoalasForever
(Short thread)? pic.twitter.com/Dvy7EN68Xc
— WWF_Australia (@WWF_Australia) February 10, 2022
We welcome today's decision, but it will not prevent koalas from sliding towards extinction unless followed by stricter laws and incentives for landowners to protect their forests. "
said Stuart Blanch of WWF Australia.
Of these marsupials today there are about 40.000 specimens, in 47 Australian electorates the koalas are already considered extinct while in the States where since yesterday they are officially considered at risk of extinction koala populations have experienced a 30-40% decline in the past 3 years.
These staggering figures prompted the Morrison government to allocate a record $ 50 million fund to rescue marsupials. (see also: Koala, record-breaking $ 50 million fund to save them from extinction in Australia)
And although Susann Ley reassures that all possible preventive measures have been taken to save the koalas and ensure greater protection of the species, the world fears the fate of this marsupial.
Fonte: Australian Governament
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Read also:
- After the terrible fires, koalas face extinction due to a disease that makes them sterile
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