In line with Matt King Undercovers commitment to supporting our community from the inside out, we are happy to announce that we are proud adopted Koala parents to Triumph. As part of our relationship with Friends of the Koala https://www.friendsofthekoala.org who provide fantastic care and advocacy work for our much cherished Australian marsupial, we have taken onboard the sponsorship of injured and orphaned Triumph, a 2 year old, three-footed, well-mannered male Koala.
Why Koalas are so important to the health of Australian bushlands
Koalas survive on a diet of eucalyptus leaves and can eat up to a kilogram a day! Quite amazing, considering eucalyptus is poisonous to most animals. Their special fibre digesting organ, called a caecum, helps to detoxify the chemicals in the leaves. In the wild, koalas serve as ambassadors for the many other species that also inhabit the Australian bush. Protecting bushland areas in an effort to save koala populations also protects the habitat of a wide range of animal and plant species such as possums, gliders, wombats, quolls, birds, and reptiles. Our dear Koalas are only found in Australia, so protection of this precious mammal ensures its survival.
According to Friends of the Koala, ‘The greatest threat to the long-term survival of koalas is the destruction of their habitat. Many of the remaining belts of eucalypts along traditional koala routes have become severely fragmented, which increases their susceptibility to disease, motor vehicle accidents and dog attacks. Koalas are under greater stress because food is harder to find and they spend more time on the ground as trees are further apart’.
One of the aims of Friends of the Koala is to encourage landholders to undertake tree-planting activities to link up the existing patches of remnant koala habitat to create a more continuous corridor of food and shelter.
The incredible work that organizations like ‘Friends of the Koala’ do
Friends of the Koala is committed to conserving koalas and preserving and enhancing their habitat, particularly in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. In doing this, they aim to make a key contribution to Australia’s biodiversity and ensure the survival and revival of natural koala habitats. During the recent catastrophic summer fires across Australia, it is estimated that 1 billion animals perished nationwide with over 15 million acres of land destroyed. This is alarming, and with the increase in global warming, these fires have set a precedent of what is now to come during the summer fire seasons in Australia. It is critical that organizations that support our ecology are supported and that every day Australians do their part in keeping Australia vibrant and full of its natural wildlife that makes us so unique.
The particular plight of Triumph and how you can help
Triumphs mum was found at the bottom of a tree injured in the bush and Triumph was subsequently found high up in the trees, alone at 9 months old. He was too young to be left, so they were both rescued however shortly after, Triumphs mum passed away and he was orphaned. What’s so special about Triumph, is that he is missing a foot! Which means he can’t jump or hang onto things. He was released at some point, back to his homeland however he fell out of the trees, so he was taken back. At Friends of the Koala, they wish to make him a permanent prosthetic limb, a temporary cast and boot was made, and Triumph jumped for the first time. We have adopted him and seek to raise awareness of his plight. If you wish to make a direct donation, you can do so through https://www.friendsofthekoala.org/donations-and-support/
Friends of the Koala rescues more koalas than any other rescue group in NSW. Please show your support and help us do our part in restoring Australia’s biodiversity.