Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Environment Minister Sussan Ley announced on Saturday that the Australian government has tripled funding for koala conservation initiatives in an effort to keep the iconic animal from extinction.
The government will invest an additional A$50 million ($34 million) on koala recovery efforts over the next four years, according to the release. It brings the federal government's overall commitment in koala conservation to A$74 million since 2019. Bushfires, farming, and urban expansion have all contributed to the loss of habitat for koalas, one of Australia's most distinctive native species.
The Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) reported in September 2021 that the wild koala population had plummeted to around 50,000 individuals. The additional money includes A$20 million for habitat restoration projects and A$10 million each for community activities and the government's koala census, which is headed by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Australia's national research agency (CSIRO).
"By restoring koala habitat, expanding our understanding of koala populations, supporting training in koala treatment and care, and boosting research into koala health outcomes, our A$50 million commitment will increase the protection of koalas," Morrison said in a statement.
"Koalas are one of Australia's most cherished and well-known symbols, both at home and abroad, and we are dedicated to ensuring their survival for future generations." Land removal in koala habitats has long been criticised by environmental groups, which has been aggravated by Australia's disastrous bushfires.
According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), 60,000 koalas were killed in the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires in Australia. The Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) has urged the government to stop the koala census and instead focus its efforts on habitat protection. On Saturday, Ley said that several habitat restoration efforts were already underway.
"The extra funds will expand on existing efforts to restore and link crucial habitat areas, control feral animal and plant species, and improve existing habitat across the koala range," she added.
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