Massive National Park Established in Australia for Thousands of Koalas' Safety and Habitat Preservation
Expansion of the Great Koala National Park Offers Hope for Endangered Species
The Great Koala National Park, located in New South Wales, Australia, has undergone a significant expansion, increasing its coverage to protect over 12,000 koalas and more than 100 endangered species. This development was announced on September 7, 2025, by Premier Minister Chris Minns, and the park now spans a total area of 476,000 hectares, making it one of the largest national parks in the state.
The expansion comes in response to growing concerns about the koala population, particularly in the states of New South Wales and Queensland on the east coast. The devastating bushfires during the "Black Summer" about five years ago resulted in an estimated 60,000 koalas being killed, injured, displaced, or traumatized. Koalas, endemic to Australia, spend most of their day sitting in trees and feed exclusively on eucalyptus leaves, making them particularly vulnerable to habitat loss and natural disasters.
The old forests of the region are among the world's most important biodiversity hotspots, home to over 100 threatened species, including the greater glider, the powerful owl, and the yellow-bellied glider. This expansion is a dramatic step towards preserving these species and their habitats.
The addition of 176,000 hectares of forest to existing protected areas will immediately halt logging in the area. Affected loggers will be supported through an assistance program to help them transition to alternative livelihoods. The park is being hailed as a real chance of survival for the koala, an iconic but threatened species.
Environment Minister Penny Sharpe described the park as a "gift for our grandchildren," and it is expected to generate estimated additional tourism revenues of AUD 163 million (EUR 91 million). This expansion marks a significant milestone in the conservation efforts for the koalas and the broader ecosystem of the Great Koala National Park.
However, the fight is far from over. According to the Australian Koala Foundation, there are likely fewer than 60,000 koalas left in the wild, and deforestation, road accidents, and other threats continue to pose significant challenges to the koala population in certain regions. The expansion of the Great Koala National Park offers hope, but ongoing efforts are needed to secure a future for these iconic creatures and the diverse ecosystems they call home.
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