Establishing 'koala corridors' to rescue Australia's imperiled marsupial
The extensive networks of vegetation, planted by the local conservation group Bangalow Koalas in the Northern Rivers region of the state, serve as a crucial support system for koalas and numerous other species like the endangered glossy black cockatoo, gliders, possums, and wallabies.
These corridors offer secure pathways across the koala’s increasingly fragmented habitat, enhancing genetic diversity and shielding the animals from human threats.
The koala faces the ominous prediction of becoming extinct in the wild in New South Wales by 2050, with major threats including wildfires, habitat loss through logging, and land clearing for development. It has already been declared endangered in several states.
A 2022 government report revealed that Australia has lost more mammal species than any other continent.
Established in 2019, Bangalow Koalas has planted over 336,000 trees on 119 properties, contributing significantly to koala conservation and enhancing the local ecosystem. The group, relying on community volunteers, aims to plant 500,000 trees by 2025.
A recent report by the Australian Koala Foundation stated that the iconic marsupial is estimated to contribute $3.2 billion annually to the tourism industry.
However, the World Wildlife Fund – Australia reported alarming declines in koala populations, with a 50% drop in Queensland and a 62% drop in New South Wales since 2001.
