Wildlife warrior Tim Faulkner leads calls to save koalas from extinction
THE near-extinct koala population on the Central Coast is facing complete wipe-out unless a recovery plan is put in place urgently, wildlife warriors say.
Central Coast
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THE near-extinct koala population on the Central Coast is facing complete wipe-out unless a recovery plan is put in place urgently, wildlife warriors say.
Latest figures estimate there were as few as 40 koalas on the Coast in 2012, but the species is now “probably extinct” in the region.
Experts say coastal development, wild dogs and diseases including chlamydia have killed off the Coast’s koalas.
One of the most recent sightings came on September 13, 2014, in the Watagan State Forest, but conservationists doubt many are left in the region.
“From Woy Woy to Budgewoi, koalas don’t stand a chance,” Australian Reptile Park general manager Tim Faulkner said.
“Koala populations have long been non-viable on the Central Coast. It’s a scientific term, but koalas are functionally extinct in this region.
“Cars and dogs are their biggest threats, but there is no reason why we can’t look at reintroducing them around Patonga — which would need more fencing — and Wisemans Ferry.
“This is a national icon we’re talking about. Australians care about our wildlife, but we are often naive to our species’ fate. As it stands, koalas are on a trajectory to be extinct in NSW by 2050.”
The Australian Koala Foundation is backing Mr Faulkner’s calls and urged the Federal Government to release its “long overdue” recovery plan for koalas, of which there are an estimated 12,000 in NSW and 100,000 nationwide, well down on the millions from a century ago.
“Koalas have some very powerful enemies, and political donations are the drug of choice getting in the way of a political solution,” said foundation CEO Deborah Tabart, who has been fighting to protect them since 1989.
“The persistence of koalas is just extraordinary in the face of government inaction.”
Koalas are listed as “vulnerable” under Commonwealth legislation, but wildlife experts say the “national crisis” demands greater protection.
Coast animal tracker Jake Cassar wants to see koalas listed as “critically endangered” under the Threatened Species Conservation Act.
“Attacks from both domestic and feral cats, dogs and foxes have put our populations under immense pressure,” Mr Cassar said.
“It’s a needle-in-a-haystack situation to find koalas on the Coast, but I’m finetuning my tracking skills to see what I can find out.
“I’d hate to think koalas will be forever lost to our region.”
RECOVERY PLAN ‘ON THE WAY’ FOR ICON
The Federal Government has claimed it is pulling out all stops to save the koala population, but the Opposition has called for more to be done.
Robertson federal Liberal MP Lucy Wicks says the Government is working on a koala recovery plan.
“When ready, the draft plan will be released for public consultation,” Mrs Wicks said.
“I’d also be pleased to hear more from locals about specific needs for our koala population on the Central Coast, so this can be passed on directly to Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg for consideration.”
Opponents say the delays are “not good enough” after the National Koala Conservation and Management Strategy expired in 2014.
“We have a responsibility to respect and protect the environment,” Dobell federal Labor MP Emma McBride said.
“In 2012 the Labor Government listed coastal koalas as vulnerable.
KOALA JOEY AND KANGAROOS MEET
“It is unacceptable that five years on a recovery plan has still not been released.”
The NSW Government says it also working on plans to save the embattled icons, committing an extra $10 million over five years to “acquire koala habitat for the national parks estate”.
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