<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/19/australias-koala-paradox-why-is-the-beloved-marsupial-endangered-in-parts-but-overabundant-in-others>
"On French Island in Victoria’s Western Port Bay, koalas are dropping from
trees. Eucalypts have been eaten bare by the marsupials, with local reports of
some found starving and dead. Multiple koalas – usually solitary animals – can
often be seen on a single gum.
Koalas were first introduced to French Island from the mainland in the 1880s, a
move that protected the species from extinction in the decades they were
extensively hunted for their pelts. In the absence of predators and diseases
such as chlamydia, the population thrived.
But the island is now struggling with an overabundance, part of a paradoxical
threat facing the marsupial across the country: in the north-eastern states,
koala numbers are declining, but in parts of southern Australia, the animals
are eating themselves out of house and home. What makes saving the celebrated
species so difficult to get right?"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
