Welcome to 2026 and it is our 40 year celebration year.   There will be lots of focus on what has been achieved and of course our dedication to ensuring the Koala and its habitat is safe.

Over the summer break, there was lots of Koala news in the media, mainly focussing on Koala numbers which in our view are inflated.

We stand by our numbers of less than 100,000 Koalas in Australia.

There is also a lot of talk about some/few Koala populations stabilising and that might be the case, but it is important to remember that the Koala is listed as Endangered in most parts of Australia so no reason for complacency.  Some populations have stabilised at 360 or so, when there used to be tens of thousands – we need to be cautious in our approach here.

And in South Australia and Victoria where the Koala is not listed at all, great cruelty is being perpetrated and I cannot bear it.

I want to also focus on the words “over population” and remind everyone that in recent years, there was great discussion (over hours of Zoom meetings) and it was agreed that these words would be removed and replaced with “overcrowding”.  Government must not have read that memo.

If you think about these words, the latter says that the poor Koalas are stuck in habitats that are too small and often landlocked in some way.   In some areas like French Island –  and this is the Koala Habitat Atlas of the site;

there is virtually no habitat and from locals I hear that the island is covered with deer and rabbits all of which reduce the chance of successful regrowth.   It is just the same old same old problem and the Victorian and South Australian governments just keep on with the same old same old, let us “sterilise them” rather than looking at the impact of humans and feral animals.  Time for what I call Human Plans of Management; like Koala Beach.  That approach decided where the humans could live and then of course the large area of bush was for all of us to enjoy.  Why is that the only model in Australia – which was built in 1995?   I know why and our new documentary will show why – I will keep you informed about that – it is very exciting.

I also know deeply that most of what we see coming from the scientific and government sources are giant bandaids instead of really dealing with the elephant in the room – that of complete habitat destruction which continues at an alarming rate.  No Tree No Me.

Our commitment to new laws – the  Koala Protection Act  is still front and centre.

This law would stop habitat destruction in its tracks which is why it is feared.

This law does not give a Permit to Take – which is a licence to kill anything in the path of a bulldozer.

This law would see to take lawful action against anyone that is cruel to Koalas – and I cannot believe that in 2026 I still have to say that this cruelty seems to be getting worse.

Our team continues to be totally focussed on this arrow like focus – and our mantra will continue until we achieve total protection for the Koala.  The Bald Eagle Act did that and of course they both play such an iconic role in our countries.

Thank you, as always for your support and look forward to celebrating the beauty of this wonderful and loved creature; the Koala.

Regards,

Deborah