A new study warns that the growing koala population in South Australia's Mount Lofty Ranges could lead to widespread starvation if left unchecked. Researchers estimate the population makes up about 10 percent of Australia's total koalas and project further growth of 17 to 25 percent over the next 25 years without intervention. They recommend targeted fertility control as a humane solution.
The research, published in Ecology and Evolution, was led by Dr. Frédérik Saltré of the Australian Museum and the University of Technology Sydney, with contributions from scientists at Flinders University and the University of Wollongong. It provides the first comprehensive estimate of koala numbers in the region and highlights that densities in many areas already exceed what the ecosystem can sustain. Dr. Saltré stated that continued growth creates a risk of severe over browsing that could damage the forests koalas depend on. He added that without action, the trajectory points to mass starvation and death in the coming decades. Traditional management options like culling or relocation face public opposition or are unsuitable for the iconic species, according to co-author Dr. Katharina Peters of the University of Wollongong. Simulations instead point to sterilizing about 22 percent of adult female koalas each year in high-density zones, at an estimated cost of 34 million dollars over 25 years. The study builds on prior work sequencing around 20,000 koala genes and emphasizes proactive planning to address conservation challenges.