Koalas Designated Endangered Species Amid Dramatic Population Decline

Koalas , Designated Endangered Species , Amid Dramatic Population Decline.<br />Al Jazeera reports that the koala has been <br />designated an endangered species by Australia. .<br />The move comes amid unprecedented pressure <br />on the koala's eucalyptus tree habitats. .<br />Environment Minister Sussan Ley said that koalas would <br />now have increased protection in New South Wales, <br />Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory. .<br />Environment Minister Sussan Ley said that koalas would <br />now have increased protection in New South Wales, <br />Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory. .<br />The impact of prolonged drought, <br />followed by the black summer bushfires, <br />and the cumulative impacts of disease, <br />urbanization and habitat loss over the <br />past twenty years have led to the advice, Sussan Ley, Australian Environment Minister, <br />via Al Jazeera.<br />The Endangered status of the koala <br />means they and forest homes should <br />be provided with greater protection under <br />Australia’s national environment law, Sussan Ley, Australian Environment Minister, <br />via Al Jazeera.<br />Not only will this protect the iconic <br />animal but many other species <br />living alongside them, Sussan Ley, Australian Environment Minister, <br />via Al Jazeera.<br />Al Jazeera reports that conservationists have <br />long sought for the koala to be protected amid <br />dramatic declines in the animal's populations. .<br />Research suggests population declines <br />of about 50% in Queensland since 2001. .<br />In New South Wales, those rates <br />are even more grim, with a 62% decline <br />in the same amount of time. .<br />We should never have allowed things to get <br />to the point where we are at risk of losing <br />a national icon. It is a dark day for our nation, Sussan Ley, Australian Environment Minister, <br />via Al Jazeera.<br />This must be a wake up call to Australia <br />and the government to move much faster <br />to protect critical habitat from development <br />and land-clearing and seriously address <br />the impacts of climate change, Sussan Ley, Australian Environment Minister, <br />via Al Jazeera