As the $10 million Port Stephens Koala (PSK) hospital and sanctuary nears completion, a disturbing report has emerged revealing just how critical their numbers have become prompting calls for the government to act urgently in the protection of koalas.
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PSK secretary Ron Land says the report, released on June 30, paints a very bleak future for Australia's most loved animal.
He said that the number of koalas in Port Stephens has declined rapidly over the past decade.
"Our estimation is that there are between 200 and 400 koalas in the wild in Port Stephens. That number has plummeted over the past two decades."
Presently, the koala is listed as a 'threatened' species and unless the government takes immediate action and declare them 'endangered' they will be extinct within 30 years in the wild in NSW.
Environment Minister Matt Kean said that the NSW Government was committed to its $44 million koala strategy.
"That said I am looking forward to reviewing the parliamentary report, and seeing what further can be done to protect this Australian icon."
Mr Land said that loss of habitat remained overwhelmingly the main cause of koala deaths in the wild.
"They are forced to fight for territory, which leads to road accidents, dog attacks and stress triggering the disease chlamydia. Then there are the bushfires and drought which exacerbate the already perilous situation."
Mr Land said that construction of the new hospital and sanctuary at One Mile, believed to be an Australian first, was nearing completion.
"With three licences to treat, display and operate a tourist facility, the centre will be the only one of its type in Australia." He said PSK hoped to treat not just koalas.
"We have joined with Noah's Ark veterinary service in the hope of gaining accreditation to open a small native animal (not for domestic pets) hospital, including kangaroos, wallaroos, wombats and birds," Mr Land added.
"In order to meed the requirement, we have had to make changes internally, including the installation of a full digital X-ray system and operating theatre."
The call to have koalas declared 'endangered' has the support of the World Wildlife Fund, International Fund for Animal Welfare and Port Stephens MP Kate Washington.
Ms Washington said that the parliamentary inquiry had left no doubt that koalas would become extinct in NSW by 2050 unless urgent action to protect their habitat is taken.
"Labor has reviewed the report's 16 findings and 42 recommendations, and we fully support each one of them. We're calling on the government to do the same, and to implement the recommendations as soon as possible."
