Koala threats
In NSW the koala is listed as a Vulnerable Species under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act.
Before European settlement, it is estimated that there were over 10 million koalas in Australia. Today less than 1% remain. This rapid decline in koalas is largely the result of human activities, in particular, habitat clearing and fragmentation.
Major threats to koalas in the Port Stephens today include:
In NSW the koala is listed as a Vulnerable Species under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act.
Before European settlement, it is estimated that there were over 10 million koalas in Australia. Today less than 1% remain. This rapid decline in koalas is largely the result of human activities, in particular, habitat clearing and fragmentation.
Major threats to koalas in the Port Stephens today include:
Road Accidents
Road accidents are one of the greatest killers of koalas in Port Stephens. Around half of all koalas rescued have been hit by cars. Most accidents occur along busy, high speed roads fringed with bushland.
Habitat Destruction
Barriers to Movement
When koalas are weaned from their mothers, they are forced out on their own to find new territory. In fragmented habitats, this forces young koalas to cross dangerous barriers such as highways, urban areas and cleared land.
Disease
The main disease koalas suffer from is Chlamydia. Its incidence seems to increase when koala populations find themselves in stressful situations, where food trees are not plentiful or varied enough, and where populations are too crowded. The disease is transmitted through contact with other koalas. Laboratory experiments have shown that Chlamydia particles can survive outside the koala’s body and possibly be transmitted by ticks.
The obvious symptoms of Chlamydia are eye infection and urinary tract infection known as “wet bottom” which can be recognised by a wet, dirty bottom, fur loss and dehydration. The eye infection may be in one or both eyes. Acute cases show a slight discharge and the eye may be partly or completely closed. These signs increase in severity with the discharge increasing to a mucous-pus discharge, the conjunctiva reddened, and the eyes swelling and bulging.
Reproductive tract infection and disease may also occur. Affected females may be rendered infertile but may show no external signs of the disease.
Dog Attacks
Koalas are often attacked by dogs. When on the ground, koalas are much slower than dogs, and are vulnerable to attack. Koalas may not be killed instantly, but can later die from stress or infection.
Weed Invasion
In Port Stephens, invasive weeds have degraded the condition of native vegetation. This affects the long term quality of habitat, natural regeneration and food resources available for koalas.
Bush Fires
Bush fires in Port Stephens are becoming more of a threat because the bushland today is more fragmented. In bush areas totally surrounded by development, a fire could destroy an entire koala population. The need to maintain corridors of bushland is essential for the survival of the koala and numerous other native animals.
Other Threats
Tick Infestation. For sick, aged or malnourished koalas ticks can have an extremely debilitating effect.
Source - Port Stephens Council
When koalas are weaned from their mothers, they are forced out on their own to find new territory. In fragmented habitats, this forces young koalas to cross dangerous barriers such as highways, urban areas and cleared land.
Disease
The main disease koalas suffer from is Chlamydia. Its incidence seems to increase when koala populations find themselves in stressful situations, where food trees are not plentiful or varied enough, and where populations are too crowded. The disease is transmitted through contact with other koalas. Laboratory experiments have shown that Chlamydia particles can survive outside the koala’s body and possibly be transmitted by ticks.
The obvious symptoms of Chlamydia are eye infection and urinary tract infection known as “wet bottom” which can be recognised by a wet, dirty bottom, fur loss and dehydration. The eye infection may be in one or both eyes. Acute cases show a slight discharge and the eye may be partly or completely closed. These signs increase in severity with the discharge increasing to a mucous-pus discharge, the conjunctiva reddened, and the eyes swelling and bulging.
Reproductive tract infection and disease may also occur. Affected females may be rendered infertile but may show no external signs of the disease.
Dog Attacks
Koalas are often attacked by dogs. When on the ground, koalas are much slower than dogs, and are vulnerable to attack. Koalas may not be killed instantly, but can later die from stress or infection.
Weed Invasion
In Port Stephens, invasive weeds have degraded the condition of native vegetation. This affects the long term quality of habitat, natural regeneration and food resources available for koalas.
Bush Fires
Bush fires in Port Stephens are becoming more of a threat because the bushland today is more fragmented. In bush areas totally surrounded by development, a fire could destroy an entire koala population. The need to maintain corridors of bushland is essential for the survival of the koala and numerous other native animals.
Other Threats
Tick Infestation. For sick, aged or malnourished koalas ticks can have an extremely debilitating effect.
Source - Port Stephens Council
