Yesterday was Wild Koala Day - 3 May 2024

[Bretrick]

Wildlife enthusiasts, conservationists, and koala lovers around the world came together to celebrate International Wild Koala Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about these iconic marsupials and the challenges they face in the wild.
Wild Koala Day was started in 2016 by a network of independent koala conservation and rehabilitation groups all over Australia. Most of the groups involved with Wild Koala Day have been advocating for koalas for many years, some for decades.

Enthusiasts and conservationists know about tragedy, heartbreak, and feelings of futility. They also know that facing reality, and taking action is the best course. Every time they face a disaster they get back up and keep working for koalas. The disasters might keep coming, but they are not beaten.

Koalas are still here, living wild and free in the Bush where they belong. In some places that would not be the case without the tireless efforts of many good people. All those people can hold their heads up with pride.

When koalas need help, will you be there for them?

Some Koala videos
** Koalas 101** 4 minutes

Koalas 101 | Nat Geo Wild

** Collection of Koala clips** 5 minutes

Collection of Koala clips: By CNZdenek of wild koalas

** Koala Documentary** 44 minutes

Koala Documentary | Australian Koalas | Cute Koala Bears | The Koala Bear | Animal & Nature Film

[Psmith]

History of Koalas - Australian Koala Foundation

By 1924 Koalas were extinct in South Australia, severely depleted in New South Wales, and estimates for Victoria were as low as 500 animals. At this time, the focus of the fur trade moved north to Queensland. In 1919 the Qld Government announced a six month open season on Koalas, and in that period alone, 1 million Koalas were killed. Although the season officially remained closed until 1927, when the season re-opened, over 800,000 were slaughtered in just over 1 month. Public outrage at the slaughter forced governments in all states to declare the Koala a ‘Protected Species’ by the late 1930’s. However, no such laws were brought in to protect the gum trees upon which Koalas rely for their food and shelter. This remains the case throughout the Koala’s range.