Koala
The koalas’ situation was precarious even before the fiery inferno broke out in Australia. Their numbers were just a fraction of what they had originally been, and individual populations were so fragmented that some pessimists began to speak of the koala as a functionally extinct species.
A koala from French Island, where another of the populations unaffected by chlamydia can be found. Photo: Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo
The ever-decreasing number of koalas is due to the massive loss of their natural habitat, bushfires and chlamydia infections. Since the latest bushfires, the level of threat to this exceptional and highly attractive marsupial has increased significantly.
The exact number of koala casualties and the area of their habitat that has dissappeared is unknown on the Australian mainland, plus the vegetation they inhabited has disappeared. In addition to the mainland, the Kangaroo Island population precious as it is one of a few not afflicted by the malignant chlamydial disease was also severely affected by the fires.
By means of Prague Zoo, financial support was sent to Zoos Victoria, Adelaide Zoo and the WIRES organisation to care for burnt or otherwise injured animals.
ZOOPRAHA.CZ
Contacts
- The Prague zoological garden
U Trojskeho zamku 120/3
171 00 Praha 7
Phone.: (+420) 296 112 230 (public relations department)
e-mail: zoopraha@zoopraha.cz
Others
