Climate change and and cars push koalas to the brink

REUTERS SYDNEY Koalas could be wiped out across large parts of Australia because of increasing numbers of bushfires, rising temperatures, shrinking forest habitats and growing numbers killed by cars, a leading wildlife charity says.

Studies show that the marsupial’s numbers are falling in the populous states of New South Wales and Queensland. Their numbers have more than halved in Queensland over the past two decades, and are down more by more than a quarter in NSW.

Overall, the country’s koala population was down to about 300,000, and ‘‘localised extinctions’’ were likely to occur in some regions, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said yesterday.

Others believe that the situation is far worse. Penny Sharpe, the Labor Party’s environment spokeswoman, said koalas were ‘‘on track to become extinct’’ in the whole of NSW by 2055.

They are being affected by the destruction of forests for farming, roads and housing, as well as by hotter summers and more severe bushfires, believed to be associated with climate change.

Apart from loss of habitat, urban development of land around koala habitats is leading to an increase in the number being hit by vehicles and attacked by dogs. Studies have found that more than 80 per cent of koalas with broken bones have been hit by vehicles.

Meanwhile, more frequent high temperatures are pushing the animals beyond their natural tolerance levels. Christine AdamsHosking, from the University of Queensland, who has released a report on declining koala numbers, said: ‘‘A temperature of about 37.7 degrees C is about the maximum they can tolerate, and we’re getting days well into the 40s in some areas.’’

Hundreds of koalas are known to have died in bushfires in northern NSW last summer. Climate scientists say the frequency and intensity of Australia’s bushfires is increasing because of climate change.

Martin Taylor, the conservation science manager at WWF Australia, said the country had to increase protections for the remaining koala habitats. The Times

‘‘Localised extinctions’’ of koalas are likely, the World Wildlife Fund says.