By Susan Kenyon
Native only to Australia, Koalas are among the world's most recognized and beloved animals.
Save the Koala Day is celebrated on the last Friday of September each year. It is part of a larger celebration called Save the Koala Month, which takes place throughout September. The day's purpose is to raise awareness about the plight of the koala and the importance of preserving their natural habitat. This day is more important now than ever, because local extinction is a real threat.
Here are some interesting facts about koalas:
They are not bears, but marsupials (mammals whose young are carried in the mother’s pouch)
They have five digits on each paw, some of which can grip like human thumbs, helping them climb trees and hold their food.
Koalas are mainly nocturnal and can sleep up to 18-20 hours daily.
Similar to kangaroos, their babies are called “Joeys.”
When joeys are born, they are approximately 2 cm long, furless, blind, and instinctively find their way to their mother’s pouch.
They stay in the pouch for about 6-7 months.
Koalas live in and eat eucalyptus trees.
They have hard bottoms made of cartilage, which allows them to sit comfortably in the trees for a long time
The name "koala" comes from the Australian Aboriginal word “gula,” meaning “no drink.”
Koalas communicate using unique sounds, including yips from the babies and grunts from the adults. (What Noises Do Koalas Make?)
Recently, koalas in Australia have faced many challenges to their survival. In February 2022, the Australian government changed its status from vulnerable to endangered. Much of this decline is due to habitat loss; their homes and food supply are being destroyed as eucalyptus forests are developed. The Save the Koala organization estimates that 80% of their habitat has disappeared. Other threats include dogs and cars, which kill over 4,000 koalas each year. From 2018 to 2021, the koala population is estimated to have decreased by 30%.
The situation worsened with the recent devastating brushfires in Australia. In 2020, approximately 6,382 koalas were estimated to have died in the fires, with tens of thousands injured. This also resulted in further habitat loss. Koalas continue to be affected by drought, disease, and the impacts of climate change.
Despite these challenges, positive initiatives are underway to help koalas. Raising global awareness is crucial for galvanizing support. One notable example is Bear, a trained cattle dog who sniffs out their scent and rescues koalas trapped in brushfire areas. Bear received credit for saving over 100 koalas during the 2019-2020 fires.
How can we help koalas like Bear does?
Support the Save the Koala organization: Visit Save the Koala for suggestions, including advocating for the Koala Protection Act, which aims to protect the trees that koalas rely on. The government needs to recognize koalas as a national treasure, and this legislation would help safeguard their future.
Adopt a Koala: This is a tangible way for kids to connect with the cause. You can choose to adopt a joey, a mother and joey, or other options. Adoption comes with a certificate and additional items. While symbolic, it helps keep an actual koala in mind when considering habitat preservation.
Educate Kids: Teaching the importance of preserving koalas and other wildlife will benefit this generation and future ones. National Geographic offers a helpful introductory video: Koalas 101. Additionally, the Save the Koala organization has a dedicated section for kids, featuring readings, coloring pages, and other educational printouts: Koalas for Kids.
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