The koalas are disappearing. Fast.
But despite a number of factors threatening the small marsupial, it seems the Australian government is hesitant to place it on the endangered species list, according to Le Monde. The problem is getting so bad that in some places in Australia the population has been reduced to 20% of what it once was.
But what’s killing the koala is a bit surprising. While climate change and urban development have perhaps had the biggest impact on the animal, a third factor is also pushing it towards extinction, according to the Telegraph — chlamydia.
They’re trying to kill ’em off on Kangaroo Island:
“Overbrowsing by abundant koalas has defoliated large areas of riverine habitat on the island. A Task Force recommended a culling program to remove 2500 koalas from the island. This was rejected by the government as a threat to the tourist trade and instead a program was initiated to to catch, sterilise and translocate animals. This program was suspended in 2000 when it became clear that the numbers on the island were too large for such a costly program.”
http://www.abc.net.au/nature/island/ep6/locals/1.htm
You can get USA tourists to shoot them, that’s what a leading environmentalists proposed… http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clivehamilton.net.au%2Fcms%2Fmedia%2Fdocuments%2Farticles%2FCashing_in_on_Koalas.pdf&ei=Z2j4TemiFoqovQPdsISDDA&usg=AFQjCNFesgZCO46pUBSRczawPJWmtrBSSQ
Chlamydia?
Don’t look at me. I’ve never even been to Australia!