Reference Daily Telegraph January 23 2020
Koalas could become extinct within a generation, and as many as 100 species of plants and animals completely wiped out across the country.
The number of animals killed is almost impossible to quantify ,but estimates based on existing wildlife density patterns suggest a tally in excess of one billion.
“It is going to be sometime before we get to access whether particular species are still there or not, but anywhere from 20 to 100 plants and animal species that were already threatened were in the path of the fires and would be at risk., “ according to Chris Dickman, Professor in Terrestrial Ecology from Sydney University’s School of Life and Environmental Sciences.
Koala populations have been adversely impacted by the fires with estimates that 8000 have been killed in Northern NSW , and as many as 30,000 on Kangaroo Island, South Australia.
Dr Stuart Blanch from WWF Australia said “koalas in eastern Australia were on track for extinction by 2050, but the bushfires have brought that extinction forward.
Koala numbers in northern NSW and Queensland declined by 42 per cent between 1990 and 2016, mainly because of habitat loss brought on by land clearing , deforestation, and climate change” Dr Blanch said.
“Some 34 native mammal species have become extinct since white settlement in Australia in 1788, and there were real fears that the current bushfires would push more species and populations to the wall ‘ Professor Dickman said.
THE KOALA HOSPITAL , PORT MACQUARIE .
One of my 2020 Christmas presents was an adopted koala from the Koala Hospital in Lord Street , Port Macquarie NSW 2444.
My young abandoned koala was admitted into care with the Lismore Friends of the Koala, and then transferred to Currumbin Wildlife Hospital on November 7 ,2018. She had many health issues and is cared for now at the Koala Hospital where she will remain.
I hope to visit my adopted koala during the year.
The Koala Conservation Australia Inc the governing body of Port Macquarie Koala Hospital is a registered Not For Profit charity.
Since inception it has been funded by donations of time and money by the local and international community. up to 160 volunteers work in areas such as koala care, maintenance, plantation care, administration of the adoptions , souvenir shop , education , tours, fund raising and koala rescue.
A small number of paid staff look after the clinical and management issues. The staff admit up to 250 koalas each year, which are largely from the mid north coast and elsewhere in NSW. This would have increased dramatically from the recent bush fires.
The website is www.koalahospital.org.au.
Donations are accepted from overseas and within Australia through a Go Fund Me page –check their website
Anne Field
Kogarah
January 28 2020.
