Why Kangaroo Island's koalas are so important
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381928)
Rockingham, Australia
January 14, 2020 11:54pm CST
There are many stories circulating about the horrific bushfires in eastern Australia. One of the areas affected was Kangaroo Island, Australia’s third largest island and part of the state of South Australia. It lies 112 km (70 mi) southwest of Adelaide and is a popular tourist destination.
Nearly half of the island has never been cleared of vegetation, and a quarter of its area consists of National Parks and Wilderness Protection Areas. There are no foxes or rabbits on the island. It is home to a number of wildlife species, some of which are endemic to the area and not found elsewhere. At one point, there was talk of culling some of the koalas because their preferred food source, the manna gum, was at risk of local extinction. How ironic is that?
Now, half of the Island's 50,000-strong koala population are believed to have been lost in the bushfire which ravaged the island. The fire has burnt 210,000 hectares since it began last month. What is even worse is that the island’s koalas are chlamydia-free. Chlamydia is rampant in koala populations on the mainland. It is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection which causes blindness, female infertility and death. Because of their isolation from other koala colonies, those on Kangaroo Island do not suffer from the disease.
The photo was taken at the Adelaide Zoo in South Australia
23 people like this
22 responses
@Alexandoy (65302)
• Cainta, Philippines
15 Jan 20
It is really a great damage that the bushfire had done. I hope the koala can recover back their number.
4 people like this
@Alexandoy (65302)
• Cainta, Philippines
15 Jan 20
@JudyEv what can I say but good luck.
3 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
16 Jan 20
@JudyEv
Yes something that would need a continuous and sustainable long term effort.
And a tough one.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
15 Jan 20
poor koalas, the fires are terrifying and devastating.
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
16 Jan 20
@JudyEv yes, they'll need to save the eucalyptus they feed on too
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381928)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Jan 20
@arthurchappell For sure although I guess they can always truck that in. There is actually a few different species that they eat.
1 person likes this
@Behindtheguitarbar (2831)
• Guangdong, China
15 Jan 20
Some news reported that koalas would become a endangered animal. It is terrible. I have heard that this bush fire had been last for months, I can't believe that.
3 people like this
@Behindtheguitarbar (2831)
• Guangdong, China
17 Jan 20
@JudyEv true. What we seen, it is quite astonishing.
1 person likes this
@Butterfingers (66603)
• India
16 Jan 20
That's worse and hope things get better at the soonest
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
15 Jan 20
'tis jest so horrific 'n breaks my heart 't all the critters who've perished. saw where they'd be droppin' food to some, which's good, but short term. gonna be some time 'fore the lands recover 'nough.
i don't reckon mankind 'tis e'er gonna learn that if'n left 'lone, mother nature'll take the reins. wonder where the chlamydia came from'n the first place?
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23998)
• United Kingdom
18 Jan 20
This has been tragic for the animal kingdom as well as human kingdom!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23998)
• United Kingdom
19 Jan 20
@JudyEv I am sure Australia will recover. Over the years it has endured many droughts, fires, flooding etc etc but It is a hardy country with hardy inhabitants and all will come good!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381928)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jan 20
@garymarsh6 I guess it is just the species that are the real concern. It's harder for them to bounce back.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381928)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Jan 20
I wouldn't call them vicious but any wild animal will defend itself so they will bite and scratch if they feel threatened. The ones used to being handled seem more or less gentle but their claws are sharp so even if they're used to people, they can still inflict scratches.
1 person likes this
So sad.
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
15 Jan 20
i feel so bad for everything this fire has taken.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
16 Jan 20
@JudyEv it is bad i am so sad for the loss of wildlife. Also for the loss of human life. horrible.
1 person likes this
@lazydaizee (6732)
• United Kingdom
15 Jan 20
You don`t think of animals having these sort of illnesses . I was surprised when I read your discussion, do they have any ways or medications to stop the spread of these diseases in animals?.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381928)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Jan 20
I guess in the wild it's very difficult. Perhaps if they find them in time they can give them antibiotics. The Tasmanian devil is afflicted with a disease that causes cancerous tumours on the face and they are battling to find a cure for that too.
@snowy22315 (208798)
• United States
15 Jan 20
What a shame! I feel for all of Australia.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381928)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Jan 20
Thanks. It's very sad and fire season has only just started.
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
16 Jan 20
The damage has been beyond imagination. I too have talked about in a few discussions.
So much help and aid has poured in but it does not seems enough to control the things.
It will take time to rebuilt, and may be some of the animals' life losses might not even be compensated.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381928)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Jan 20
You are right. Somehow, we need to lessen the severity and impact of these fires. A few more of these and there will be no hope for some of our wildlife species.
@Tampa_girl7 (54715)
• United States
17 Jan 20
I've been seeing this on the news. It's so sad.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381928)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Jan 20
The fires seem to be getting a lot of airplay throughout the world. And, of course, lots of people are concerned about our wildlife.
@JudyEv (381928)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Feb 20
Yes, they've been exceptionally bad this year. We always have bushfires but this year has been horrendous.
@JudyEv (381928)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Jan 20
They will be going all out to do what they can. And at last the government seems to be getting on board a bit more.
