Who doesn’t love a koala? We cannot imagine a world without these furry little critters, but unfortunately, they’re officially on the endangered species list. 

Some interesting facts about our cuddly friends … 

Koalas are a type of mammal called marsupials, which give birth to underdeveloped young. They are so different from any other marsupial, however, that they have been classified into their own family, called Phascolarctidae.

They share a number of characteristics with wombats, who are their closest living relatives, including a backward-facing pouch. 

In February 2022 the status of the koala has recently been changed from vulnerable to endangered. The change in status means an increased level of protection for koalas in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. 

Koalas live over a range of open forest and woodland communities but ultimately their habitat is defined by the presence of a select group of food trees. Koalas are found in higher densities where food trees are growing on more fertile soils and along watercourses. 

In Queensland, the greatest concentration of koalas is in the Southeast region, and we are committed to doing all we can to protect them. 

Fun fact: Koalas can sleep for up to 20 hours a day, due to their low energy diet, and the intense amount of energy required to break down toxic leaves. 

More resources: 

https://environment.des.qld.gov.au/wildlife/animals/living-with/koalas/conservation/seq-koala-strategy