The koala population on French Island is at imminent risk of starvation as their habitat collapses.

French Island in Western Port, Victoria, is an environmental hot spot, designated a "high conservation value offshore island". It is a sanctuary for koalas and other species and until recently the island's koalas were regarded as the healthiest in Australia. 

However, a critical situation is now unfolding on French Island - koala habitat is collapsing due to severe overpopulation and recent drought, and koalas are starving to death. Manna gums have all but disappeared and swamp gums are under severe pressure - both of those being preferred koala food. Koalas can be seen eating pine and oak leaves in a desperate effort to stay alive. This is an urgent but preventable crisis.

Without decisive action from the Victorian Government both the koala population and their fragile habitat face irreversible decline. When a similar situation occurred in the 1920's, the bush and the koalas took more than 50 years to recover.

This situation has unfolded over a number of years. A Koala Management Program for French Island has been in place for the last 10 years, but limited measures have been taken by the responsible Government agencies. The Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action (DEECA) and Parks Victoria have had little impact in managing this problem. Koalas are now starving to death and both they and their joeys are dying in large numbers.

Koalas are an Australian icon. Losing them in this way is both an ecological tragedy and a national shame. It is also cruel. Humane solutions to this crisis need to be found and urgent action is needed. The destruction of the unique French Island environment is also at stake.

Sign the Petition calling on DEECA to fund immediate humane solutions to avoid the starvation of French Island koalas and to prevent the destruction of its fragile environment.