PETITION CLOSED

  • The time period for signing this petition has ended.
Urge Australia to Protect Koalas from Extinction
  1. Signatures
    1,254 out of 1,500
    Petitioning
    1. Federal Minister of Sustainability (Tony Burke)
  2. Created By
    R E
    Minneapolis, MN
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates

Koalas are in peril but are yet to be listed as an endangered species. In some parts of Australia, population numbers have dropped by 80 percent! Australian scientists mainly blame drought, disease and habitat destruction for their depleted numbers. They are also concerned about climate change.

As the weather heats up, koalas are pushed into urban areas and face new dangers such as cars and dog attacks. Koalas are unable to adapt to hot and dry conditions and many fall ill or die from dehydration or heat stress.

Advocacy groups, koala lovers and scientists are all asking Tony Burke, the Federal Minister of Sustainability, to list the animals as an endangered species and create a federal protection plan for the remaining koalas. 

A special committee has been set up to study the koala population and the problems that plague them, but Burke has the power to protect them. The decision is scheduled to be made in August.

Send a letter to Tony Burke by signing the petition and ask him to place protections over Australia's koalas. 

For more information, please visit the Australian Koala Foundation. 

 

Photo credit: Snapper's Pics

 

Why People Are Signing
Recent Signatures

Protect Australia's Koalas as Endangered Species

Greetings,

I urge you to protect Australia's dwindling koala population by listing them as an endangered species.

Koalas once inhabited Australia by the millions. Today, because of habitat destruction, disease, long-term drought and climate change, their estimated population is only 50,000 to 100,000.

As the climate becomes hotter and drier, koalas are faced with new dangers such as dehydration and heat illness. As they are forced to move into urban areas, koalas are victim to dog attacks and injury/death from cars.

In the Gold Coast, koala numbers have decreased by 80 percent in just a decade and a half. To lose such an iconic native species to extinction would be a tragedy.

Please use your power to list the koala as an endangered species and create a federal protection plan to save the koalas from disappearing. Thank you.

[Your name]

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