Issue link: https://owlkids.uberflip.com/i/1536420
BECOMING ENDANGERED In 2022, koalas were listed as endangered. AKF estimates that there are currently around 60,000 koalas in Australia. Though this number has dropped in recent years, the biggest blow to koalas came in the early 20th century. "The fur trade decimated the koala populations between 1890 and 1930," says Tabart. As many as 8 million koalas were killed for their fur. HABITAT UNDER THREAT Today, hunting koalas is illegal. But they face a different threat: habitat loss. Deforestation happens when people clear forests to build buildings or make farmland. This not only reduces the number of trees for koalas to live in, but can also isolate koala groups (called colonies) from each other, meaning they must cross dangerous roads to find mates. "Trees are being cut down," says Tabart, "and our message about koalas is pretty simple: 'No Tree, No Me.'" TEXT: JOHN CROSSINGHAM PHOTOS: DEBORAH TABART (DEBORAH TABART); GETTYISTOCK (ALL OTHERS) ILLUSTRATIONS: PAULA BECKER Deborah Tabart lives in Brisbane, Australia. She works at the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF), which is dedicated to researching and protecting koalas. Tabart helps raise funds for research and initiatives to protect koalas and their habitat. Deborah Tabart! Meet Koala Expert HERE TO HELP! Australians are helping to rebuild koala habitats by doing things like planting trees in places where they have been wiped out. These trees allow koalas to move between habitats instead of being contained in small areas. Teamwork makes the dream work! Koala noses are more than just cute as a button. Koalas have an excellent sense of smell. HOTTER AND DRIER Wildfires are another reason for this habitat loss. They have been happening more often due to climate change. In 2020, Australia had the worst wildfires in its history. Thousands of koalas were killed or injured. "Some of those fires were so hot that the forests may never recover," says Tabart. The name "koala" comes from the Indigenous Dharug word gula, meaning "no water." Koalas rarely drink water. Instead, they get their fluids from the leaves they eat! Baby koalas are called joeys. This joey is happy to hitch a ride on its mom's back! owlkids.com 21