Why koalas need your help
Koalas are under threat in many areas across Australia. The situation in South East Queensland is particularly concerning—in the last three years koala numbers have fallen by over 50% in some areas.
As Australia’s fastest growing region—attracting 55,000 new residents each year—South East Queensland's urban growth is putting even more pressure on koalas. Every day they are under increasing threat from habitat loss, cars, dogs and diseases.
The Koala Coast—an area south-east of Brisbane City containing Redland City Council, part of Logan City Council and part of Brisbane—is one of the most significant koala populations in Australia. It is also one of the state's most at-risk koala populations.
The 2008 Koala Coast koala survey showed there are now only around 2279 koalas living in this area. This is a 51% drop over the previous three years and a 64% decline since the 1996-1999 estimate of 6246 koalas.
Surveys of the Pine Rivers area—another important koala population in South East Queensland—show similar population declines. A 2008 survey here showed koala densities in urban sites had fallen by 45%. Other koala populations near urban areas are likely to be experiencing similar declines.
The Queensland Government launched its Koala Response Strategy in 2008 to stop the serious decline in koalas across South East Queensland. A number of important programs have already been completed through the Strategy, but even more action is being planned to protect our koalas into the future.
Last updated 26 September 2011