Koalas on edge of ‘extinction’

Koala in tree KOALAS are now branded “functionally extinct” as there may not be enough to produce the next generation.

Fewer than 80,000 of the marsupials exist with their habitat of eucalyptus forests being destroyed, the Australian Koala Foundation says.

Their numbers in some areas hit by droughts and heatwaves fell by 80% over two decades.

AKF’s Deborah Tabart, wants politicians to step in and to protect habitats instead of making “empty promises”.