Recently Australia has listed the koala as an endangered species across most of (it) east coast, after a dramatic decline in numbers because land clearing, bushfires, drought, disease and other threats. The federal government has been urged to do more (protect) koalas from rapidly decreasing habitats and climate change.
"This listing adds priority when it comes to the (conserve) of the koala," Environment Minister said on Friday. She said officials were designing a recovery plan, and land development application would now be assessed for impacts on the species.
Last year, a New South Wales survey found koalas would be extinct there by 2050 there was urgent action. It estimated that the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-2020 had killed 5,000 koalas and affected 24% of habitats in New South Wales alone.
"Koalas have gone from no-listing to vulnerable (易危物种) to endangered within a decade. That is a (shocking) fast decline," said a scientist. "Today's decision is welcome, but it won't stop koalas (slide) towards extinction unless it (accompany) by stronger laws."
Scientists warn that climate change will also (worse) bushfires and drought, and reduce quality of koalas' eucalyptus(桉树) leaf diet. Koalas are also found in South Australia and Victoria but their numbers are on the decrease nationally, according to protection groups.
