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Thousands of koalas feared dead in Australia wildfires

Environment Minister Sussan Ley said that up to 30% of their habitat has been destroyed by the wildfires.
Credit: AP
FIEL - In this image made from video taken on Dec. 22, 2019, and provided by Oakbank Balhannah CFS, a koala drinks water from a bottle given by a firefighter in Cudlee Creek, South Australia. Thousands of koalas are feared to have died in a wildfire-ravaged area north of Sydney, further diminishing Australia's iconic marsupial, while the fire danger accelerated Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019 in the country’s east as temperatures soared. (Oakbank Balhannah CFS via AP, File)

PERTH, Australia - Thousands of koalas are feared to have died in a wildfire-ravaged area north of Sydney, further diminishing Australia's iconic marsupial, while the fire danger increased in the country’s east as temperatures soared.

The mid-north coast of New South Wales was home to up to 28,000 koalas, but wildfires in the area in recent months have significantly reduced their population.

Koalas are native to Australia and are one of the country’s most beloved animals, but they've been under threat due to a loss of habitat.

Environment Minister Sussan Ley told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that up to 30% of their habitat has been destroyed by the wildfires.  

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