Koala populations under threat in Australia

 

Hundreds of thousands of visitors come to Australia each year hoping to get a look at a koala in the wild.

Their chances of an encounter with the cute marsupial are reducing each year with the government approving more than 25,000 hectares of threatened species habitat to be destroyed in 2024 – more than twice as much as the previous year, new analysis by the Australian Conservation Foundation reveals.

The Albanese government, committed to "no new extinctions" in 2022 but appears to be on the side of developers rather than nature - and its pro-industry actions could impact on the tourism industry.

A total of 2,751 hectares of habitat for "critically endangered" species was approved to be destroyed, affecting 17 critically endangered species and ecosystems.

Australia's lack of regard for its native wildlife is highlighted by the fact that 42 more species and ecosystems were added to the threatened species list, and a further 14 were moved to a category closer to extinction.

Amazingly, 100% of assessment decisions about fossil fuel projects were approvals.

“Despite its commitment to zero new extinctions, in 2024 the Albanese government gave the green light to the destruction of twice as much threatened species habitat as it did in 2023,” said ACF nature campaigner Darcie Carruthers.

“More than 3,000 hectares of koala habitat was consigned to the bulldozers in 2024 - an area three times the size of Sydney Airport.

“In most cases, destruction of habitat is the defining reason why animals and plants are at risk.

“Australia already has one of the worst extinction rates on Earth – and it’s getting worse.

“There are now 2,245 Australian ecosystems, plants and animals recognised nationally as being threatened with extinction. Every day and every decision matters for our wildlife.

“The national laws that are meant to protect nature are failing miserably. Without the full reform of Australia’s unfit-for-purpose nature law - and with no sign of an independent agency to enforce the law - more and more unique plants and animals face extinction.

“We urge the Albanese government to deliver on its promised nature law reform because more delays mean more extinctions.”

Chocolate producer helping the environment

Plant-based, gluten- free organic chocolate producer Pana Organic will be walking the walk on July 28 when it aims to plant up to 2,000 new trees on the Mornington Peninsula.

It will be part of its annual tree-planting initiative, building on the existing Pana Organic forest.

 
Aligned with National Tree Day, Pana Organic will be planting native plants without pesticides to ensure they are helping build habitats for native wildlife in Hastings/Somers.

Pana Organic says it wants the event to bring community together and work together for the greater good of our planet.

The founder of Pana Organic, Pana Barbounis, says events like this are important to him and the entire Pana Organic brand.

Pana Organic has teamed up with Fifteen Trees and the Somers/Hastings Koala Habitat Project for the initiative. 

Coordinated by the Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation (MPKC), the project sees partners plant trees in existing koala corridors, thereby encouraging koalas out of urban areas and away from the many threats they face. 

‘To achieve our goals, we need funding to purchase trees for the wildlife corridors. All money received goes directly towards bringing our project and goals to life," Dirk Jansen, co-ordinator at The Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation said. 

“Thank you to Pana Organics and Fifteen Trees for your assistance in purchasing trees on our behalf and, indeed, for coming out to plant too.” 

The revegetation project is also backed by Mornington Peninsula Shire, Parks Victoria and the Department of Defence.