KOALAS ON THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION

Attendees travelled from the Sunshine Coast, Caboolture and Pine Rivers to the Koala Conservation Conference held in water-logged Lismore on Friday 22/5/09.
Continued habitat loss, disease and ineffective legislation, at every level of government, are driving the koala to extinction.

Community apathy, lack of political will, ineffectual planning and land-use laws are enabling habitat clearance despite the lip-service paid by government to protecting Australia’s most loved faunal icon.  The koala must be listed by the Federal government as endangered if the species is to survive.
Disease in koalas is prevalent and not well understood.  It is decimating koala populations.
Vital research is severely under-funded.  Dr Jon Hanger, Director of Research and Ecological Services at the Australian Wildlife Hospital, Beerwah said “There is an urgent need for a nationwide study so that data and scientific information can be collected for informing and guiding government.”
Now is the time to speak out – let your elected representatives know the extinction of the koala is not an option!  Ring a councillor, write a letter to the editor, email a politician – demand effective laws that really protect the koalas and our environment.
Vanda Grabowski
Secretary and Education Officer