Koalas Are Now Declared ‘Functionally Extinct’ In Australia

In another tragic blow to wildlife, koalas have now been declared “functionally extinct” in Australia. The sad news comes straight from the Australian Koala Foundation.

Deborah Tabart, chairman of the foundation, said there are no more than 80,000 koalas in the country now and while that number may still seem huge, there are “not enough breeding adults to support the next generation,” a Sky report tells us.

What this means is that koalas are now “beyond the point of recovery.”

According to Tabart, the current population is only a small percentage compared to the 8 million koalas shot for fur and sent to London from 1890 to 1927.

Naturally, activists are concerned about the possibilities – such as a new disease wiping off the remaining number.

Unfortunately, no one seems to be doing anything about the problem.

Tabart pointed out:

“I have heard every excuse under the sun to not step in and protect habitats.

“No one has written anything [any laws] to protect the koala in the last six years of government.”

The government needs to act. Now!

Tabart went on to specify that with the upcoming elections, the responsibility to take action now lies to the next prime minister. She is hoping the government will take a more aggressive approach in preserving the species, similar to how Americans saved the bald eagle from extinction.

Tabart explained:

“The Bald Eagle Act was successful because there was political motive to ensure their icon did not go extinct. It is time for the koala to be afforded the same respect.”

She further added:

“The prime minister who takes the reins in the coming weeks will have to really start to understand that Mother Nature has seemed to have enough.

“Fire, flood or drought, deforestation, hotter climate and other huge impacts on our environment need to be halted.

“The koala forests of Australia are 20% of our continent – they could help with cooling our planet and making our lives more sustainable.”