'30 per cent' of koala habitat destroyed in Australian state
At least 30 per cent of koala habitat in the Australian state of New South Wales has been destroyed by ongoing wildfires, the country’s environment minister says.
Sussan Ley made the claim in an interview with Australian broadcaster ABC. As many as 28,000 koalas are believed to inhabit the state's north coast, and though it's not clear how many have been killed in the bushfires, the number is expected to be considerable.
"We'll know more when the fires are calmed down and a proper assessment can be made," Ley told the broadcaster.
The ongoing bushfires have been devastating and deadly for the country, due to extended periods of drought and extreme temperatures.
Estimates vary, but the fires are estimated to have burned around five million hectares over the last two months, and burned around 1,000 homes. Nine people have been killed, including two volunteer firefighters, and at least one person is missing.
As for koalas, it's not known how many have perished in the flames, and rescue efforts are ongoing. Ley says her department has been working with koala experts on plans for the eventual release of hospitalized koalas and safe corridors.
Despite the animals' dire plight, reports from earlier in 2019 that suggested the damage from wildfires was so extensive that the species was 'functionally extinct' have been overblown, according to experts interviewed by The Weather Network.
Koalas are considered a vulnerable species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
