Extinction For Koalas In NSW Before 2050 Expected; Habitat Loss Crux, But Logging Continues Anyway
Koalas will become extinct before 2050 in NSW unless there is urgent government intervention to prevent habitat loss, a year-long inquiry has found.
The NSW parliamentary inquiry also finds that a government estimate that there are 36,000 koalas in the state is outdated and unreliable.
The report, tabled on Tuesday by a multi-party committee, finds habitat loss remains the biggest threat to the species’ survival in NSW and yet logging and clearing of habitat has continued. The committee said this habitat loss had been compounded by the 2019-20 bushfires, with an estimated 24% of koala habitat on public land affected. In some areas, as much as 81% of habitat had been burnt.
The report said climate change was exacerbating the severity of threats to the species such as drought and fire. “Given the scale of loss as a result of the fires to many significant local populations, the committee believes the koala will become extinct in New South Wales well before 2050 and that urgent government intervention is required to protect their habitat and address all other threats to their ongoing survival,” the report said.
EDIT
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jun/30/koalas-will-be-driven-to-extinction-by-2050-in-nsw-major-inquiry-finds
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