Australia Fires: Thousands Petition To Relocate Koalas To New Zealand

Thousands of people have signed a Change.org petition to save Australia’s koalas by bringing them to New Zealand. However, not everyone seems to be on board with the idea.

Petition To Save Koalas

The Australian fires have, certainly, taken a toll on the country's wildlife and people are scrambling to try to find ways to save the animals. For instance, a particular change.org petition by a group called Koala Relocation Society is calling for koalas to be transferred to about 28,500 hectares of eucalyptus plantations in New Zealand.

The petition states the koalas would not harm the local ecosystem because they only occupy the eucalyptus woodlands and eat only the leaves of the trees. According to the organizers, not acting now would put the blame not only on Australians but Kiwis as well.

As of the writing of this article, over 6,000 have signed the petition.

Proper Assistance

It is only natural for people to want to save koalas, but not everyone thinks that sending the creatures to New Zealand may be the best way to do it. For instance, in the 1850s, possums were introduced to New Zealand as a source of fur pelts and food. However, the population quickly blew up and until now possums are considered pests.

According to experts, the koalas affected by the fire would need extensive veterinary care, and that any assistance would be better given directly to Australian authorities or trusted organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Further, assistance for the koalas as well as all other species affected by the fires should be coordinated with authorities so that those who want to help can send the right kind of assistance.

As for New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, a spokesperson noted that she is, constantly, in contact with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and that their focus remains on keeping the fires in check so that the koalas can stay in their natural habitats.

Introduced Species

An introduced species is an organism that has been transported, accidentally or deliberately, to a location where it is non-native. For instance, many plants were deliberately transported from Europe to North America specifically for ornamental or agricultural purposes, while many others were transported accidentally via ships, airplanes, trains, or even on people’s shoes.

Although some species end up not surviving the new habitat, others adapt to their new environment well, causing their populations to explode. In some cases, these introduced species end up harming or even causing the extinction of native species.

Although there is no saying what the introduction of koalas to New Zealand’s eucalyptus plantations may do, what’s clear is that many people are trying to think of ways to save the creatures affected by the Australian fires. For now, those who want to help may do so by supporting trusted organizations that are helping Australian authorities.