KOALA

Did you know there could be koalas or other threatened wildlife living near you? Discover what animals need protection in your local area using 

WWF-Australia’s ‘My Backyard’ tool, and find out how well they’re being cared for.

The koala is one of the world’s most iconic animal species – right up there with the panda, tigerelephant, dolphin, and polar bear. And they're found nowhere else in the world but Australia!

Our much loved koalas, with their stout, tailless body, large head with round, fluffy ears and large, spoon-shaped nose, are instantly recognisable as a symbol of Australia. Koalas are an integral part of the Australian bush – perched high up in the branches of gum trees sleeping for up to 20 hours a day.

A common mistake is calling them a ‘koala bear,’ they’re marsupials not bears. Find out more interesting facts about koalas.  Sadly, being iconic and symbolic is not enough to save the koala from the threat of extinction. In the 1920’s, hundreds of thousands of koalas were shot for the fur trade and now koalas are contending with the consequences of ongoing excessive tree-clearing for agricultural and urban development in Queensland and New South Wales. But there is much we can do to save the koala and the many other species that inhabit the Australian bush.

What we're doing

See our conservation work on koalas.
Injured koala lays sedated on hospital bed
Injured koala lays sedated on hospital bed © Shutterstock / ChameleonsEye / WWF

Helping koala in care

The destruction and fragmentation of habitat means koalas must spend more time on the ground moving from tree to tree. This makes them much more vulnerable to being hit by cars and attacked by dogs, while elevated levels of stress make them prone to sickness and disease. Fortunately, sick and injured koalas often make their way to koala hospitals where can they be treated and once they recover can be returned to the wild.

In 2014, a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) was sighted for the first time in 40 years in Armidale, New South Wales.
In December 2014, a workshop for wildlife habitat on farms was run in conjunction with Citizens Wildlife Corridors and Landcare. A range of tree species were planted, including 3 different eucalypts known to be habitat and feeding trees in the area.
In December 2014, a workshop for wildlife habitat on farms was run in conjunction with Citizens Wildlife Corridors and Landcare. © Simon Scott Photo / WWF-Aus

Protecting and restoring koala habitat

Excessive tree-clearing for agricultural and urban development has led to the destruction and fragmentation of large areas of koala habitat. However, the efforts of landowners, farmers, community groups and conservation organisations, with support from governments and corporate partners, are now seeing areas of koala habitat being protected and cleared areas restored to provide future habitat for koalas and other wildlife species.

Latest reports

Phascolarctos cinereus Koala Koalas sleep up to 20 hours a day Australia
© Martin Harvey / WWF

Why it matters

The koala is the quintessential Australian animal, known globally and much loved. People come from all over the world to see koalas at wildlife parks and zoos. It is featured in advertisements, games, cartoons, and as soft toys. In the wild, koalas serve as ambassadors for the many other species that also inhabit the Australian bush. Protecting bushland areas in an effort to save koala populations also protects the habitat of a wide range of animal and plant species such as possums, gliders, wombats, quolls, birds, and reptiles. Koalas also have great cultural significance to Aboriginal Australians and feature in Dreamtime stories, songs, and rock art.

Koala joey (Phascolarctos cinereus) and mom eating Eucalyptus leaf
Koala joey (Phascolarctos cinereus) and mom eating Eucalyptus leaf © Shutterstock / dangdumrong / WWF

Species bio

Common Name

Koala

Scientific Name

Phascolarctos cinereus

Stats

On average, males range in weight from around 6 kg in QLD and up to 12 kg in VIC, females range from an average of 5 kg in QLD to 8.5 kg in VIC.

Status

Vulnerable (EPBC Act – QLD, NSW, ACT only)

Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) in a tree, Thailand.
Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) in a tree, Thailand. © Shutterstock / Yatra / WWF

Did you know?

Due to the low nutrient levels of the Eucalyptus leaves they feed on, the koala can sleep up to 18 hours each day.

Threats

What you can do to help

Find out if koalas or other threatened wildlife live near you using WWF-Australia’s ‘My Backyard’ tool, and  learn how you can help them thrive again.