The
National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) is concerned about the future of koalas
in NSW. Between 1990 and 2010 koala numbers have fallen by a third as a result
of habitat loss, inbreeding, disease, predation and climate change.
The
NPA's Samantha Newton points out that despite the fact that the koala is one of
Australia's most commodified and iconic native animals "no national
conservation reserve has been set aside to ensure the long-term protection of
the species. This is even despite the
koala being a globally recognised symbol of Australia and the second most
recognised animal in the world after the Chinese Giant Panda."
She pointed
out that the Chinese have created a national park covering 1 million hectares
of bamboo forest habitat to protect
their Giant Pandas. As well as
protecting Pandas this is an important tourist attraction with direct financial
benefit to nearby communities.
The
economic value of wildlife to international tourism in Australia has been
estimated at $3.5 billion per year. A 1997 estimate of the economic contribution
of Koalas to our international tourism was $1.1 billion.
So providing effective protection for this iconic species makes economic
as well as ecological sense.
In NSW
habitat loss caused by land clearing and urban development has led to the
disappearance of Koalas from 75% of their former range.
"Even
seemingly secure populations like those in the Port Stephens colony are at risk
of extinction within decades unless their mortality rate is greatly reduced and
their habitat connectivity is restored," Ms Newton said.
At the
recent World Parks Congress in Sydney attended by conservation leaders from over
160 countries it was emphasised that the single most effective way to conserve
biodiversity was the establishment of large and appropriately managed protected
areas.
"We
heard evidence from around the world that shows species occurring outside
protected areas are sliding towards extinction twice as fast as those in
reserves. We do not want that to happen to the Koala but currently over 80% of
Koalas live outside protected areas.'"
The NPA
is commencing a campaign to secure the future of the koala in a number of
koala hotspots.
Newton said
that the NPA's vision was to secure the future of the Koala by establishing
"an internationally significant Koala reserve encompassing over 400,000
hectares of public land in the Coffs Harbour region and along with a series of
reserves along the coast. We can achieve
this by adding 200,000 hectares of state
forest to existing reserves in the region.
The new Koala reserve will protect two nationally recognised populations
of Koalas which are estimated to contain almost 20% of NSW's remaining wild
Koalas."
The NPA
is calling for donations for the campaign to establish these reserves. (NPA Koala Reserve Appeal)
