Why did giant koalas become extinct?

Answer 1

Koalas as a species are a long way from extinction. There are however regional areas of Australia where traditional populations of these animals are under threat due to the usual man made problems of urban development, deforestation etc. Despite all this, the koala is holding its own and has many areas of protected habitats to live in. On an island off the southern coast for instance, there are literally too many koalas for the food sources to keep up and the solution for this still hasn't been worked out. One drastic idea put forward is to destroy a certain number of koalas so that equilibrium can be established.

Koalas are protected and have been protected for a long time. They are not found in all areas of Australia. They are being pushed out of their natural habitat by urban growth. Koalas are also dying from a disease called Chlamydia, infecting the eyes and causing blindness, and compromising the koala's fertility.

The conservation status of koalas varies from region to region in Australia, but they are by no means becoming extinct. For example, due to farming and land clearing, native koalas were eradicated from Western Australia and South Australia in the last century, but moves have been made to reestablish new colonies in both states. Currently, koalas are thriving on Kangaroo Island in SA, and in other isolated colonies throughout SA's southeast.

Koalas are still listed as "common" in most parts of Queensland, but in the southeast region of Queensland, their status has been changed to "vulnerable". The NSW Government listed the koala as "rare and vulnerable" in 1992, and following protective measures, this has been changed to "vulnerable". In Victoria, the koala is not on the threatened species list at all, and in some protected and remote regions, there is actually an overpopulationproblem.

Despite urging by conservation groups since around 1992, Australia's federal government has not yet listed the koala as vulnerable, except in certain areas. Even international conservation groups cannot agree. Meanwhile, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the koala as "potentially vulnerable", while the US Endangered Species Act lists the koala as "threatened".

Answer 2

Koalas are not facing extinction: they are thriving in parts of Australia, but vulnerable in others. In southeast Queensland, for example, the koala population is under severe threat.

Koalas are slow when it comes to reproduction so the population does not increase. However, keep in mind that koalas, like all native Australian animals, are protected, so it is unlikely that they will become extinct in the near future.

Koalas are not on the endangered species list, but individual populations are threatened. Other areas of Australia are facing problems with too many koalas, and they are expanding in range in some areas. Birth Control methods have been trialled, and also culling has been considered. Generally, however, the koala is listed as "vulnerable". One of the greatest threats to the koala is the disease Chlamydia, which causes infertility.

Koalas are also being killed because so many trees and bushland are being cleared, reducing their homes and food. Urban sprawl brings new threats, such as dogs and cars.

Answer 3

Koalas are not "becoming extinct" anywhere. They are not even endangered. They are classified as "Secure" in Australia. Nor are they on the IUCN redlist.

The conservation status of koalas varies from region to region in Australia. For example, due to farming, land clearing and habitat loss, native koalas were eradicated from Western Australia and South Australia in the last century, but moves have been made to reestablish new colonies in both states. Currently, koalas are thriving on Kangaroo Island in SA, and in other isolated colonies.

Koalas are still listed as "common" in most parts of Queensland, but in the southeast region of Queensland, their status has been changed to "vulnerable". the NSW Givernment listed the koala as "rare and vulnerable" in 1992, and following protective measures, this has been changed to "vulnerable". In Victoria, the koala is not on the threatened species list at all, and in some protected and remote regions, there is actually an overpopulation problem.

Answer 4

It is not known why the Giant koala, a species 2-3 times larger than the modern species, Phascolarctus cinereus,became extinct. What is known is that both species existed together.It is theorised that its extinction may have been due to its size. It perhaps filled a slightly different ecological niche from its smaller relative, and this niche could have been disrupted by the same climate change which affected other species on the mainland, such as the Tasmanian devil (which is now not believed to have been affected by the introduction of the dingo to the degree once thought).

Answer 5

Koalas are not extinct or even endangered,

Despite urging by conservation groups since around 1992, Australia's federal government has refused to list the koala as vulnerable. Even international conservation groups cannot agree. Meanwhile, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the koala as "potentially vulnerable", while the US Endangered Species Act lists the koala as "threatened".

Answer 6

Koalas are not in danger of extinction, nor are they officially endangered. There are, however, numerous threats to the koala.

During the late 1800s, koalas became an export commodity for their fur, mostly for export to the USA. Due to koala numbers dwindling and public outrage, laws were enacted protecting the koala and imports were banned by the USA in the late 1920s. By this stage, the koala had been driven to extinction in South Australia.

New colonies have been introduced in South Australia and Western Australia, and within these protected environments, the koala is thriving. Man is their biggest threat, causing loss of food source and habitat loss. Increasing urbanisation results in more koalas being killed by cars, unsupervised dogs, bushfires and even directly by cruel and irresponsible people. In particular, koalas have a range of home trees, and their territory is often split by roads through new urban developments. As a result, when koalas try to wander from one of their home range trees to another, they are hit by cars. Domestic dogs pose another major threat to koalas in suburban fringes.

The conservation status of koalas varies from region to region in Australia, but in no state are they legislated as "endangered". For example, due to farming and land clearing, native koalas were eradicated from Western Australia and South Australia in the last century, but moves have been made to reestablish new colonies in both states. Currently, koalas are thriving on Kangaroo Island in SA, and in other isolated colonies.

Koalas are still listed as "common" in most parts of Queensland, but there are calls to list them as vulnerable in southeast Queensland, where koala numbers have dropped by about 60% in the last decade.

The NSW Government listed the koala as "rare and vulnerable" in 1992, and following protective measures which have seen koala populations regenerate, this has been changed to "vulnerable". The koala is, however, all but gone from the NSW central coast.

In Victoria, the koala is not on the threatened species list at all, and in some protected and remote regions, there is actually an overpopulation problem. They are considered to be "secure" in Victoria.

Despite urging by conservation groups since around 1992, Australia's federal government has refused to list the koala as vulnerable. Even international conservation groups cannot agree. Meanwhile, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the koala as "potentially vulnerable", while the US Endangered Species Act lists the koala as "threatened".

Having said that, however, just because the species is not officially threatened does not mean that they are free from threats to their future existence.

The chief threat to the koala is habitat loss. Koalas inhabit prime land which man has decided is better used for housing developments. Not only do the koalas lose their sources of shelter and food, they are subject to dog attacks and being hit by cars as suburbia extends further outwards. A prime example of this is southeast Queensland, where koala numbers have dropped to 60% less than what they were a decade ago, entirely due to increased development - and where they now face extinction by 2020.

Koalas are territorial, and they live in complex social communities where each member has a certain number of trees within its territory. When access to these trees is cut off by new roads, the koalas will still try to cross the road, and risk being hit. Relocation of koalas is rarely successful because their territorial and social habits are largely misunderstood.

Another significant factor is predation by introduced species such as dogs and foxes.

Koalas are also subject to the disease chlamydia, which affects the koalas' fertility, and eventually leads to their death. Currently, there is no cure for this disease.

Answer 7

Koalas are not officially endangered, and are currently not in danger of extinction. They are at risk from numerous threats, however.

During the late 1800s, koalas became an export commodity for their fur, mostly for export to the USA. Due to koala numbers dwindling and public outrage, laws were enacted protecting the koala and imports were banned by the USA in the late 1920s. By this stage, the koala had been driven to extinction in South Australia.

New colonies have been introduced in South Australia and Western Australia, and within these protected environments, the koala is thriving. Man is their biggest threat, causing loss of food source and habitat loss. Increasing urbanisation results in more koalas being killed by cars, unsupervised dogs, bushfires and even directly by cruel and irresponsible people. In particular, koalas have a range of home trees, and their territory is often split by roads through new urban developments. As a result, when koalas try to wander from one of their home range trees to another, they are hit by cars. Domestic dogs pose another major threat to koalas in suburban fringes.

The conservation status of koalas varies from region to region in Australia, but in no state are they legislated as "endangered". For example, due to farming and land clearing, native koalas were eradicated from Western Australia and South Australia in the last century, but moves have been made to reestablish new colonies in both states. Currently, koalas are thriving on Kangaroo Island in SA, and in other isolated colonies.

Koalas are still listed as "common" in most parts of Queensland, but there are calls to list them as vulnerable in southeast Queensland, where koala numbers have dropped by about 60% in the last decade.

The NSW Government listed the koala as "rare and vulnerable" in 1992, and following protective measures which have seen koala populations regenerate, this has been changed to "vulnerable". The koala is, however, all but gone from the NSW central coast.

In Victoria, the koala is not on the threatened species list at all, and in some protected and remote regions, there is actually an overpopulation problem. They are considered to be "secure" in Victoria.

Despite urging by conservation groups since around 1992, Australia's federal government has refused to list the koala as vulnerable. Even international conservation groups cannot agree. Meanwhile, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the koala as "potentially vulnerable", while the US Endangered Species Act lists the koala as "threatened".

Having said that, however, just because the species is not officially threatened does not mean that they are free from threats to their future existence.

The chief threat to the koala is habitat loss. Koalas inhabit prime land which man has decided is better used for housing developments. Not only do the koalas lose their sources of shelter and food, they are subject to dog attacks and being hit by cars as suburbia extends further outwards. A prime example of this is southeast Queensland, where koala numbers have dropped to 60% less than what they were a decade ago, entirely due to increased development - and where they now face extinction by 2020.

Koalas are territorial, and they live in complex social communities where each member has a certain number of trees within its territory. When access to these trees is cut off by new roads, the koalas will still try to cross the road, and risk being hit. Relocation of koalas is rarely successful because their territorial and social habits are largely misunderstood.

Another significant factor is predation by introduced species such as dogs and foxes.

Koalas are also subject to the disease chlamydia, which affects the koalas' fertility, and eventually leads to their death. Currently, there is no cure for this disease. At the best of times, the koala is a slow breeder, usually producing just one joey a year.

Answer 8

The koala is not extinct, it is not even endangered. They are considered to be "Secure".

Answer 9

1. Koalas are not bears.

2. Koalas are not extinct.