Save Koalas! Demand a tightening of Queensland tree clearing laws.

With their sweet faces, fluffy ears, big black button noses and iconic ‘tree hugging’ stance, koalas are a unique and much beloved animal that brings joy to many people. But human activity is now putting koalas at risk. Please sign this petition to demand that Queensland’s tree clearing laws are tightened to stop the destruction of koala habitat.

The koala, an Australian icon, is listed as vulnerable, and yet the species is now facing a government-sanctioned destruction of its habitat. WWF scientist Martin Taylor said: “If we want to save koalas in Queensland then we have to stop the bulldozers destroying their habitat – it’s that simple.”

A recent relaxation in Queensland’s tree clearing laws has led to the destruction of 84,000 hectares of critical koala habitat in just two years. 14% of all land cleared between mid-2013 and mid-2015 was found to be koala habitat, leading to the expression of deep concerns by both the WWF and the Australian Koala Foundation.

Deborah Tabert, the chief executive of AKF, said the loss of that much habitat was “shocking given the recent statement that koalas are functionally extinct in various parts of Queensland”.

Please sign this petition to demand that laws be tightened to ensure that tree clearing does not continue to impact on this vulnerable and irreplaceable species. The koalas need our voices. Together we can make it clear that the public wants koalas to be protected from extinction.