Koalas ‘Functionally Extinct’
After Australia Bushfires
Destroy 80% Of Their Habitat
Forbes,
by
Trevor Nace
Original Article
Posted By: StormCnter,
11/24/2019 4:28:35 AM
As Australia experiences record-breaking drought and bushfires, koala populations have dwindled along with their habitat, leaving them “functionally extinct.”
The chairman of the Australian Koala Foundation, Deborah Tabart, estimates that over 1,000 koalas have been killed from the fires and that 80 percent of their habitat has been destroyed.
Recent bushfires, along with prolonged drought and deforestation has led to koalas becoming “functionally extinct” according to experts.
Reply 1 - Posted by:
Bur Oak 11/24/2019 7:48:55 AM (No. 243947)
I know what extinct means but have no idea what "functionally extinct" means. Probably means, send us money and we'll study the koalas.
10 people like this.
I'd never heard the term either. This is per the article:
Functional extinction is when a population becomes so limited that they no longer play a significant role in their ecosystem and the population becomes no longer viable. While some individuals could produce, the limited number of koalas makes the long-term viability of the species unlikely and highly susceptible to disease.
Sounds as it they're heading for a "zoo only" kind of existence. Kind of similar to honest politicians...
6 people like this.
Reply 3 - Posted by:
Californian 11/24/2019 8:32:49 AM (No. 243980)
In plain English, it means the breeding population is too small to continue much longer without human intervention, be it zoos, breeding programs, or whatever. Assuming 80% loss is a reasonably accurate number this is likely true and we'll see the death of the lady wild koala in our lifetimes (or our children's for us older folks) if nothing is done. Many species have been saved. But not all. Koalas are a particularly "weak" species unable to deal well with environmental change to their very specific requirements. My guess is they're a doomed creature even with help.
3 people like this.
Reply 4 - Posted by:
Alecto2 11/24/2019 8:35:02 AM (No. 243981)
Never let a disaster go to waste.
Quick check shows bushfires are pretty endemic to the land of Aus. and this fire is neither the most extensive nor the most damaging. A Koala spokes-animal might disagree. But if you live by the eucalyptus, you die by the eucalyptus. The eucalyptus needs fire to spread (and spread it has) the oil in the leaves increases the intensity but their seeds need the fire to sprout.
8 people like this.
Reply 5 - Posted by:
RuckusTom 11/24/2019 9:40:21 AM (No. 244054)
It's my understanding that before the mean old British criminals showed up, the aboriginals set fires to much of Australia every chance they could to enhance their hunting ability. Koalas survived then, they'll probably survive now.
6 people like this.
Reply 6 - Posted by:
udanja99 11/24/2019 10:00:32 AM (No. 244082)
“ Functional extinction is when a population becomes so limited that they no longer play a significant role in their ecosystem...”
I’ve done a few koala-in-the-wild tours in Australia and learned this - koalas play NO significant role in their ecosystem. They eat leaves so they are not spreading seeds in their feces like birds and other vegetarian animals do. They eat nothing but eucalyptus so predator animals will not eat their flesh due to the nasty smell and taste, so they are not part of the food chain. They sleep in trees almost 24/7.
As one guide told us, they are pretty much useless. The only value they have is that they are cute and good for the tourism industry. He had met numerous tourists who said that they flew all the way to Australia just to see the koalas.
#1 is correct about the $$$.
6 people like this.
Reply 7 - Posted by:
dirtyjersey 11/24/2019 10:13:50 AM (No. 244093)
Koalas are unique and cute. I’d rather save them than the snail darter or some weird insect.
8 people like this.
Reply 8 - Posted by:
franq 11/24/2019 10:49:14 AM (No. 244140)
Like a large number of species, if they disappeared, my life would not change one whit.
3 people like this.
Reply 9 - Posted by:
JimBob 11/24/2019 10:54:14 AM (No. 244145)
Oh, the Cute Little Koalas are Almost Extinct!
And our Bad Old Cars, Planes and Power Plants are causing it!
Send US MORE MONEY and Give Up Your Independence (means of Travel) or the Koalas ALL DIE! (Take-off from the Sheriff's famous line in the movie Blazing Saddles.)
Sorry guys, this is all Bovine Scatology.
My Give-A-Dam's Busted.
3 people like this.
Reply 10 - Posted by:
LC Chihuahua 11/24/2019 11:05:48 AM (No. 244156)
If some group wants to save the Koala, they can knock their socks off. Just make sure any money they collect is being used appropriately. Should government money be used? That's up to Australia. How much debt have they racked up, btw? Strongly suspect they will find plenty of people willing to donate. It's OK if people don't want to donate too.
1 person likes this.
Reply 11 - Posted by:
thewarden 11/24/2019 11:37:02 AM (No. 244178)
Our San Diego Zoo has an excellent endangered species reproduction program. If you want to see koalas up close, really up close, come to our Zoo. You won’t be disappointed. I think they’re adorable, but they are not particularly cuddly and sweet in real life. I hope they can be saved—we should endeavor to save all species.
3 people like this.
Reply 12 - Posted by:
DVC 11/24/2019 2:18:10 PM (No. 244329)
Somehow, I imagine that, if they are given a chance, and maybe a hand, they will bounce back.
1 person likes this.
Reply 13 - Posted by:
DVC 11/24/2019 2:23:15 PM (No. 244330)
They look like our cute, loveable, and cuddly childhood teddy bears, we (me, too) are attracted to them. But, from all I have read, they are more like a grumpy old man than a cuddly pet.
But, I don't wish them ill, and hope they can hold down their spot in God's creation.
3 people like this.
Reply 14 - Posted by:
Faithfully 11/24/2019 8:21:20 PM (No. 244577)
Who finances the Koala Foundation? Asking for a friend, a jaded, tired friend.
0 people like this.
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