Radio National recently carried a report about the plight of Koalas in which it was said they were in danger of being wiped out in parts of Queensland and New South Wales due to stress caused by loss of habitat and food through clearing of land for urban expansion , farming , mining, road kill, dogs , feral cats , chlamydia and conjunctivitis .
Illustration from national report on plight of Koalas , not Magnetic Island .
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Somehow unnoticed by Townsville media are the deaths of Koalas on Magnetic Island. Little Darwin recently reported the episode in which devoted island carer Linda Wootten, with the help of backpackers and others , retrieved a distressed Koala on the popular Forts Walk. It had a bunged up eye and a damaged claw .
It was hoped that with care and attention at the Koala Hospital, where it was found to be undernourished , with a growth on an eye , its condition would improve for it to be operated on and saved. This did not eventuate as its condition did not improve and it had to be euthanased.
Not long after, Linda had to retrieve a dead Koala, on the same Forts Walk, which was found to have a dead joey in its pouch . A "terrified " Koala was recued during a Full Moon Party at the X Base backpackers resort . It was described as a "petrified marsupial ", gripping for dear life halfway up a tree , taken to a safer , quieter location .
Some months ago a Koala was killed by dogs in the grounds of a residence . Koalas turn up from time to time at the primary school .
Cuddly Koalas are used to sell the attractions of the island at a time when the Townsville City Council is talking about opening up more walking tracks on the island which you would think will impinge on the Koala habitat . Furthermore, it was enthusiasticaly envisaged Australian and Singaporean troops might compete against each other in races across the island, bring in bucks. Anyone think what this might do to resident Koalas ?
More importantly, what is making island Koalas crook, killing them ?
More importantly, what is making island Koalas crook, killing them ?