Australia is turning more shrubbery into a national park for koalas

For this purpose, the Australian news agency AAP reported on Monday, May 9, that authorities have purchased three areas in the region, Monroe in the south, Yamba in the north and Tari in the east. It said the conversion to protected areas would benefit not only colas but also other endangered species such as long-nosed kangaroos and owls.

“Conserving the Kola habitat is part of our strategy to double the Kola population by 2050,” said James Griffin, the region’s environment minister. “In addition to the koalas, these national park expansions will protect endangered species.”

Colas are now in a very dangerous state

The Australian government has already officially raised the danger level of funny marsupials in the states of New South Wales and Queensland, as well as in the Australian capital area with the capital Canberra, to a “vulnerable” (endangered) level. This will enable the authorities to better protect the livestock. Drought, wildfires, disease and habitat loss have led to a sharp decline in cola numbers over the past 20 years.

In particular, the massive bushfire that occurred from August 2019 to March 2020 severely affected the beautiful marsupials. The environmental organization WWF estimates that more than 60,000 colas were killed, injured, chased or traumatized. Images of animals with singing fur and burnt feet went around the world.