Koala (Phascolarctus cinereus)
Who am I?
I’m the iconic Australian koala! My fur is soft and thick to keep me warm in the cold winter weather. My colour can be grey or brown, with white patches on my chest and limbs.
My big, black button nose makes me look like a real-life teddy bear. My sharp claws and strong limbs make climbing a breeze and I can grip onto branches with ease, even when I'm dozing off after a satisfying meal!
Where can you find me?
I can be found from Queensland all the way down to Victoria and South Australia and I like to hang around in woodlands and forests. I like to relax in seaside towns, such as Inverloch, Harmers Haven and Cape Paterson, but I can often also be found around the taller forests of The Gurdies and Grantville.
I spend most of my days lounging in the branches of Eucalyptus trees, munching on leaves! My favourite trees are the Coast Manna Gum, Narrow-leaved Peppermint and Swamp Gum, but I’m not too fussy and I enjoy most Eucalyptus trees.
Why am I threatened?
Most of my habitat has been destroyed for farming and urban development, so unfortunately there aren’t too many trees left for me to live in. I don’t mind living in the trees in town with humans around, but sometimes dogs and cars can be dangerous. Bushfires are also very threatening to me because I move so slowly, and it’s hard to get away in time. The spread of diseases has also impacted me heavily by reducing our species’ ability to breed.
How can you help?
Planting Eucalyptus trees on your property is the best way to help me survive. It gives me food to eat and a home to live. Doing this anywhere will help by providing places for me to move around in the future.
If you have Eucalypt trees already, please don’t cut them down or I will have nowhere to go. Please be careful when driving your car, especially at night when I’m likely to be crossing the road.
Get involved now!
If you have seen a Koala, please report a sighting HERE
If you know of a suitable property for creating corridors or protecting remnant forest, please contact us HERE
Project links: Western Port Woodlands and Bunurong Coast Woodlands