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Greenhouse Gases Destroying Koalas' Food

Extinction threat as eucalyptus becomes inedible

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 6, 2008 5:45 AM CDT

(Newser) – The koala and its marsupial cousins are in serious danger of extinction because greenhouse gases are rendering the eucalyptus leaves they rely on nutritionally worthless, reports the Australian. "What we're seeing is that the staple diet of these animals is being turned to leather," a professor said. "Life is set to become extremely difficult for these animals."

Studies have found that increased carbon dioxide levels lowered the nutrients in eucalyptus leaves. The leaves are already so poor nutritionally that koalas need to spend most of their waking hours eating. The koala—whose numbers have already plummeted 99% over the last century—completely depends on eucalyptus to stay alive. Wallabies, possums, and gliders are also heavily reliant on the leaves.

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Koala numbers have already dropped from more than 10 million at the beginning of the last century to less than 100,000 today. (AP Photo/Paul Brobin, Dreamworld)

Scientist warn that climate change could drive the koala bear into extinction. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Koalas and other marsupials are in grave danger of extinction as climate changes gradually turns the leaves they live off toxic and nutrient-free. ((c) arriba)

Scientists say that greenhouse gases are reducing nutrients in the eucalyptus leaves koalas rely on for food, putting the animals in danger of extinction. (Getty Images)

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A koala munching eucalyptus leaves. (koalawrangler (YouTube))

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Greenhouse Gases Destroying Koalas' Food