Koalas are severely affected by deforestation in Australia. It’s been putting the species’ population at risk of extinction, and then the bushfires this year have only compounded the threats that koalas face. A new proposal, for a refuge however, could help save koalas from extinction and allow the species to recover.

Queensland Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch says: “Over the last two decades we’ve seen between 50 to 80 per cent of our koala populations lost throughout our SEQ [Southeast Queensland] koala areas.” The state government’s draft koala protection strategy proposes to set aside more than 570,000 hectares of land as ‘koala priority areas.’

In those areas, koalas would be able to move freely without having to go through developed areas where they’re often killed by cars. With the koala population decreasing by 80 percent in the last two decades and 75 percent of their habitat of their habitat having been destroyed, this strategy is vital! The Koala Advisory Council proposal will go to a public comment period, and then it will be up to Queensland officials to make it a reality.

To Support the proposal for this refuge that could help save Southeast Queensland’s koalas, sign this petition!

You can take action against other related issues by signing these petitions too:

• Protect Native Animals on Islands Covered in Plastic
• Stop Sloth Yoga Which Exploits Animals for Profit
• Demand Climate Action From State Leaders!

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