Koala numbers drop 80%

The koala population has dropped 80% in the last 10 to 15 years and scientists are looking at declaring the species as endangered.

The koala population is rapidly declining as a result of climate change and will continue to irreversibly effect the population, particularly from droughts. Droughts in Australia are drying out the koala's number one food source - eucalyptus leaves which they eat to obtain moisture.  They are also incapable of dealing with the increasingly hotter, drier temperatures in Australia which results in the animals experiencing heat stress and dehydration, exhausting them so much that they virtually drop out of their trees.

One of the reasons for this decline is also the lack of habitat for koalas after land is being cleared for urban development, depriving them of their traditional habitat. This is another reason to build up rather than out and reduce human-related emissions as much as possible. We need to be more selfless and realise that humans arent the only species on the earth! In Brisbane houses are even being built in 'koala corridors', areas of land that have been created to foster the species as a result of urbanisation.

What would happen to our national symbol, the kiwi, if temperatures were to increase a couple of degrees in New Zealand? The kiwi's body temperature is around 37 to 38 degrees which is almost the same as the koala (36.6 degrees). The kiwi's traditional habitiat is in damp, dark forest land which we must do everything in our power to protect, as kiwi's are already endangered and at further risk as a result of climate change and urban sprawl.

What can we do? DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO STOP CLIMATE CHANGE AND URBAN SPRAWL
It may be as simple as being energy efficient, use public transport, walk, cycle, think about carbon miles (be concious of where your food and your clothes are coming from)...

The fate of the koala and the kiwi may be in your hands.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/environment/news/article.cfm?c_id=39&objectid=10728038
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/kiwi-bird-facts.html