Close-up of a koala sitting in an eucalyptus tree
A koala I photographed in the wild on Kangaroo Island, South Australia

You know how much I love Australia, so it’s no surprise I love cuddly koalas, too! Unfortunately, while found in millions in the past, the koala population has dwindled to less than 100,000 due to deforestation, urban expansion, and hunting.

Holding a rescue koala at the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Holding a rescue koala at the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Koalas are found in the wild in parts of eastern Australia  (Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia). I was lucky to see koalas in the wild in both New South Wales and South Australia, and I hope both I and others will still be able to do so in the future.

September is Save the Koala Month, and Save the Koala Day is celebrated on the last Friday in September. The Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) started this campaign in an effort to save wild koalas whose number is steadily diminishing. Their website has a wealth of information about koalas and what one can do to help them.

Even if you don’t live in Australia but care about koalas, you can help by donating money here or buying something from their online shop (worldwide shipping). If that’s not practical, please help by spreading the word about Save the Koala Day and the Koala Foundation!

I leave you with this cute koala compilation; it’ll melt your heart.

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