Australia releases inquiry to save declining Koala

Australia releases inquiry to save declining Koala

Speed limits should be lowered, wild dog controls tightened and research funding has to be boosted in a move to stop the decline of Koala numbers across Australia, a senate inquiry recommended on Thursday.

In a 10-month investigation, the Senate Committee heard from scientists and advocacy groups about the status, health and sustainability of the protected animal. It has delivered 19 recommendations.

The report, The koala - saving our national icon, said there is no question koala numbers are falling, but the issue is much more complex than that fact alone.

For instance, it said in some areas in Queensland the koala population is in sharp decline, but in other parts of Australia their numbers have to be managed because of over-population.

It recommended federal Environment Minister Tony Burke to consider listing the koala as a vulnerable species in areas where numbers have significantly declined.

Another recommendation was for a dedicated program to monitor the population of koalas, lower speed limits on roads near koala habitats and more control over wild dogs.

"The committee recommends that local and state governments . . . introduce appropriate speed limits in priority koala areas; and, where appropriate, build or retrofit underpasses or overpasses," the report said.

It also said money should be pumped into possible protection measures, such as koala fencing, disease research and even highway upgrades.

Burke said he is considering whether to list the koala as a nationally threatened species, and he welcomed the new information.

"Koalas are an iconic Australian animal. They hold a special place in the hearts of Australians," he told reporters in Canberra on Thursday, adding that the government had already spent at least 6.16 million U.S. dollars on koala conservation efforts during the past 15 years.

Greens Leader Bob Brown, who called for the inquiry, said the recommendations were important and strong action was needed now to stop the koala from going on the endangered list.

Editor: yan

English.news.cn   2011-09-22 22:43:38 FeedbackPrintRSS
CANBERRA, Sept. 22 (Xinhua)