8 Articles found tagged with “koala”.
The Australian icon, the koala, is facing extinction due to bushfires and habitat loss. However, impacts of these stressors over the long-term has not been known. A recent study has shown that this species is facing a significant impact of human population growth and that conservation action must be taken.
The koloa, the only endemic duck remaining on the main Hawaiian Islands, is threatened by inbreeding with feral mallards. But a new study has found that its genetic diversity is high and conservation efforts have been successful.
Analyses of microbiomes in the guts of koalas has led tot he discovery that faecal transplants could help them to eat a wider range of food. This may help them to survive habitat loss and could benefit other endangered species with very specific diets.
An innovative technology has been developed to aid koala conservation. Drones and infrared imaging are being utilised to improve spotting them through the eucalyptus trees from the air, a more reliable and less invasive technique.
The full koala genome has been successfully sequenced. The highly accurate genomic data will provide information to inform habitat conservation, tackle diseases and help ensure this iconic animal’s long-term survival.
Climate change is causing temperatures to rise and, in places where they are already high, may cause these areas to become inhospitable to wildlife.
Recently in the news there have been two examples of animals in Australia facing extinction.
Climate change, habitat loss, collisions with cars and domestic dog attacks have all resulted in koalas being pushed into smaller and smaller regions of the country.