Koalas have a fragmented distribution throughout eastern Australia from north-east Queensland to a small section of South Australia. Koalas are most abundant in northern New South Wales and in south-east corner of Queensland, where they compete for space with a rapidly growing human population.

Koalas are currently listed as ‘vulnerable’, however numbers are rapidly declining due to habitat destruction, disease, vehicle strikes and dog attacks. The Australian Government is currently considering upgrading their status to ‘endangered’ following the 2019/2020 summer bushfires.

The average lifespan for a wild koala is 10 to 12 years. However, the oldest wild koala recorded by Friends of the Koala was a female aged 19 years old.

Koalas differ in size, colour and shape throughout their distribution range. Northern koalas have a short, thick, grey and white coat and are smaller than their southern counterparts. On average, northern male koalas weigh between 7- 8kg and females between 6-7kg.

Koalas mate throughout the year, but the mating season peaks between November and January. Males become sexually active from 3 years of age. Females can breed from 2 years of age and generally give birth once a year for the next 10 to 15 years.