Quick answer
Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) are listed in our guides as Vulnerable. That IUCN-style label describes global extinction risk and can differ from national lists — habitat loss and human pressure still decide local survival.
Key takeaway
Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) are listed in our guides as Vulnerable. That IUCN-style label describes global extinction risk and can differ from national lists — habitat loss and human pressure still decide local survival.
Koala conservation status
Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is recorded here as Vulnerable. Global categories summarise extinction risk; regional populations can be safer or worse than the headline label.
Threats facing koalas
Habitat loss around Eucalyptus forest and woodland, hunting or persecution, climate pressure, and conflict with people are common drivers. Exact ranking of threats varies by region.
Outlook for Koala populations
Where monitoring exists, trends track protected-area quality and enforcement. Fragmented groups need corridors and genetic exchange to avoid local extinction.
What actually helps
Support verified conservation programmes, cut demand for illegal wildlife products, and protect habitat. Tourism helps only when operators follow ethical wildlife standards.
Raising a joey
Like other marsupials, koalas give birth to a tiny, undeveloped joey that crawls into the mother's pouch to keep growing. After about six months it begins riding on her back. Young koalas eat a special form of their mother's droppings to gain the gut microbes needed to digest eucalyptus.
Conservation
Koalas are listed as Vulnerable, and populations in parts of eastern Australia are declining sharply. Habitat loss, bushfires, disease, vehicle strikes, and dog attacks are the main threats, and protecting and replanting eucalyptus forest is central to their recovery.
Sources
Koala FAQs
Are koalas endangered?
Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) are listed in our guides as Vulnerable. That IUCN-style label describes global extinction risk and can differ from national lists — habitat loss and human pressure still decide local survival.
What is the scientific name of the koala?
Phascolarctos cinereus — used in research and conservation listings for koalas.
What do koalas eat?
Koalas eat eucalyptus specialist, with seasonal and regional variation in Eucalyptus forest and woodland.
Where do koalas live?
They are associated with Eucalyptus forest and woodland. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of koalas?
Listed in our guides as Vulnerable. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.