Koala | San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants

The koala is one of Australia’s most recognizable symbols, but its survival hangs in the balance. Formerly thought to be common and widespread, koalas are now endangered across their native range. Despite their broad appeal, significant gaps in our knowledge of koalas remain that create big challenges for the conservation of koalas and their habitat. We’re working to save, protect, and care for these iconic marsupials through our Australian Forest Conservation Hub.

In the past, koalas were killed for their coats. In fact, from 1919 to 1924, eight million koalas were killed. Today, the koala is threatened by predation from domestic dogs and a disease that has spread through most of the population. In addition, some koalas get run over by cars. But the one thing that koalas and other wildlife can’t protect themselves against is the loss of their habitat. A combination of cooperative managed-care programs, conservation work, and support for habitat protection projects are needed to ensure the survival of koalas.

We also strive to learn more about koalas. We have a conservation scientist studying a group on St. Bees Island, off the eastern coast of Australia, trying to learn how much land koalas need to find enough food and shelter and what their vocal communications may mean. Putting all the pieces together has provided a much deeper understanding of koala breeding biology. Our work has resulted in the Australian government declaring St. Bees a national park to further protect the koalas that live there.

Yet a primary objective of our koala conservation program has been to contribute to the successful conservation and management of koalas across their entire range, not just on St. Bees. As we have developed our knowledge base, we are proud to have achieved this goal. By investigating the seasonality of koala births on St. Bees and applying our knowledge to other sites, we have discovered a significant relationship between koala births and rainfall in central Queensland, Australia. This finding is crucial to understanding the impacts of climate change on Australian wildlife and has highlighted the key factors needed to protect koala habitat and plan for the long-term future of koalas in Australia. There is still plenty of work to be done!

Here at the Zoo, we’ve learned over the years that female koalas are choosy about mate selection. We can’t just pair koalas because they make a good match genetically! Ongoing conservation science with our Zoo koala colony includes examining male traits, such as scent and sound, in order to examine the effects that they may have on female mate choice and reproduction.

By supporting San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, you are our ally in saving and protecting wildlife around the globe. Discover how your support is making a difference for koalas through our Australian Forest Conservation Hub.