Australia Koalas: Threatened by Climate Change

Australian Koalas:  Oh, no!  I just read a disconcerting article about my son's favorite animal, the cute and fuzzy koala of Australia.  According to a story on AOL News, koalas are being threatened by the rising level of carbon dioxide pollution in the atmosphere.  Apparently, carbon dioxide saps nutrients from the eucalyptus leaves that Koalas feed on.  Our family was fortunate to have visited Kuranda Koala Gardens in Cairns, Australia, (one of our best family vacations) last year where we learned about and spent time with some koalas.  Because eucalyptus leaves contain very little nutritional value, the koalas have learned how to conserve their energy, and thus appear somewhat lethargic and sleep most of the day.  Because they only eat a certain type of eucalyptus leaves, it's difficult (and expensive, I imagine) to hold them in captivity.  Saving the koalas is just one more reason for humans to be conscious of what our existence and consumptions are doing to mother Earth.  Let's think green and help save our wildlife!

Photo by ConspiracyofHappiness via Flickr (Creative Commons)