These furry creatures, which sleep 18 hours a day and subsist on eucalyptus leaves, are disappearing at an alarming rate. A decade ago, there were hundreds of thousands of wild koalas in Australia, but recent data shows that the number has plummeted to fewer than 50,000. Their crisis is a tragedy orchestrated by both human activity and natural disasters.
Habitat Loss:
From "Killing Koalas" to "Burning Trees to Exterminate"
Eucalyptus forests are the lifeblood of koalas, but ironically, 70% of Australia's eucalyptus forests are not legally protected. Agricultural expansion and urbanization are causing the loss of 1.6% of native forests annually. Logging companies are even operating directly in koala habitats. In 2025, logging at a botanical garden in Victoria resulted in the deaths and injuries of dozens of koalas, leaving a horrific sight of their decomposing bodies. Even more deadly are bushfires: the 2019 "Fire of the Century" killed 60,000 koalas, and the 2025 wildfires in Budj Bim National Park destroyed another 2,000 hectares of habitat, leaving the surviving koalas struggling in the scorched earth.
"Boiling Frogs" Under Climate Change
Koalas get 90% of their water from eucalyptus leaves, but global warming is accelerating evaporation. Dehydration forces them to risk their lives by descending from the trees in search of water, resulting in over 4,000 deaths annually from car accidents or dog attacks. High temperatures also increase the fiber content of eucalyptus leaves, forcing koalas to take longer to digest, further reducing their survival efficiency.
Disease and the "Extinction Spiral"
Chlamydia infection is rampant among koalas, causing blindness, infertility, and even death from common infections due to immune collapse in 90% of individuals. University of Sydney experts point out that these combined factors have created an "extinction spiral"—a sharp decline in population size, resulting in a loss of genetic diversity and a further decline in their ability to survive.
Culling Controversy:
A Game of Interests Under the Cloak of Humanitarianism
In April 2025, a news story sparked global public opinion: the Victorian government in Australia used helicopters to kill 750 koalas that survived wildfires, including 200 pouched koalas. This operation, ostensibly intended to "relieve suffering," exposed the complex intertwined nature of ecological conservation and profit.
The Government's "Scientific Defense" and Data Flaws
The state environment department claimed that 87% of koalas suffered third-degree burns, with dehydration rates exceeding 90%, and that euthanasia was the "only option." However, animal protection organizations revealed that this data only covered a 3-kilometer radius within the fire's core, leaving healthy populations within 50 kilometers unassessed. Even more paradoxically, New South Wales reduced koala conflicts by 89% through a "contraceptive immunization plus relocation" program at a cost one-fifth that of culling, yet Victoria refused to adopt this approach.
"Ecological Clearance" Behind Commercial Interests
32,000 hectares of land surrounding the culling area are being planned for development into blue gum plantations, with an annual output value exceeding A$320 million. Koalas' tendency to gnaw on eucalyptus leaves makes them a hindrance to commercial development. Two weeks before the operation, forestry giant Southern Forests donated 480,000 Australian dollars to the Environment Minister's office, further raising public doubts about the capital manipulation behind the decision.
A scene of ethical tensions
The government initially promised "intravenous injection after anesthesia," but ultimately resorted to high-altitude sniping by helicopter. Witnesses described "gunfire and koala screams for three days, with cubs starving to death beside their carcasses." This brutal method not only exacerbates the animals' suffering but also renders potentially rescuable cubs "collateral damage." Ecologists point out that culling could accelerate population collapse—koalas have a two-year breeding cycle, with each female nursing only one or two cubs, making the population's resilience extremely fragile.
Climate Change:
The "Invisible Hand" Igniting Disaster
UN climate officials warned as early as 2013 that the Australian bushfires were closely linked to global warming. Over the past century, temperatures in the country have risen by 1.5°C, extreme droughts have prolonged, and the bushfire season has expanded from three months to six months. In 2020, air pollution levels exceeded normal by 26 times, and thick smoke caused hospitals to overflow and MRI machines to shut down.
The government's inability to extinguish fires and short-sighted policies
During the 2019 wildfires, Prime Minister Morrison was reportedly vacationing in Hawaii. Following the 2025 Budj Bim fire, rescue teams were unable to enter due to restrictions in the "lockdown zone," indirectly leading to the culling operation. Ironically, the government abolished the carbon tax while simultaneously blaming the wildfires as a "natural phenomenon," demonstrating the ongoing struggle between environmental policy and commercial interests.
The Road Ahead:
Finding a Balance on the Ecological Scale
- The survival of koalas tests the limits of human civilization. Breaking the vicious cycle of culling and extinction requires a multi-pronged approach:
Emergency Intervention:
Prioritizing Non-lethal Rescue
- Establishing temporary shelters, artificially providing water, and relocating healthy individuals—measures that have proven effective in wildfire response in countries like Canada. Had the government allowed independent veterinary intervention in the 2025 culling, at least some of the cubs could have been saved.
Habitat Restoration:
A Dual Drive of Legislation and Technology
- Australia should emulate my country's model for giant panda reserves, legislate to protect eucalyptus forests, and severely punish illegal logging. At the same time, drones can be used to seed drought-tolerant eucalyptus varieties to accelerate ecological recovery.
Upgrading Fire Prevention Systems:
From Passive Suppression to Active Defense
- AI fire monitoring, community fire brigade training, and regular removal of flammable materials can reduce the likelihood of fires. The 210-day fire in New South Wales in 2025, extinguished by heavy rain, demonstrates that climate intervention is equally crucial.
