Australia: The number of cola bears is declining significantly

Colas are at risk: According to a new study, the number of Australian marsupials is declining rapidly and has shrunk by 30 percent in the last three years alone. Population is declining in all parts of the country, but especially in the state of New South Wales on the east coast, according to the Australian Cola Foundation (AKF). The number here has dropped by even 41 percent. Colas are already extinct in many parts of the country.

Somewhat dramatic decline in species

According to the Foundation, there are still an estimated 32,000 to 58,000 koalas living on the Fifth Continent. In 2018 it was 46,000 to 82,000.

AKF President Deborah Tabard said the devastating wildfires of the summer of 2019/2020 would have significantly contributed to the destruction of beautiful eucalyptus eaters. The WWF announced in December that more than 60,000 koalas may have died in the fire, injured, displaced or traumatized.

“Moon-like landscapes”

However, this is not the only reason for the fall: drought, heat waves and water shortages threaten animals, according to Dabart: “I have seen some landscapes that look like the moon – dead and dying trees everywhere.”

After all, clearing land for agriculture, housing and mining is “deadly” for colas, which are native to Australia only, the expert said. Thapard stressed that it is important to stop cleaning up cola habitats “to protect our beloved national animal from danger”.

with material from dpa