The Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) has published the latest video in their Urban the Koala series, this time tackling the issue of deforestation and the threat it poses in silencing the sounds of the bush.
In this instalment, Urban can be seen talking about the "Anthem of the forest", a fond term coined for the many sounds that make the bush come alive – from the chirps of birds to the rustling of canopy leaves high above the steady trickling of water through river systems. The video then goes on to highlight how deforestation and development are threatening to mute this song of the bush through the destruction of natural habitat.
Watch the video below:
A moment of silence for the bush
While Urban the Koala has ultimately been created as a fun, animated spokesperson for the AKF and all creatures great and small, he is also utilised to educate the Australian public about the very real dangers that the Koala, and a whole manner of other native species face. The most common enemy is deforestation and land development.
Last week the Australian Koala Foundation Chair Deborah Tabart OAM called for a repeal of the Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs), which override the EPBC Act and create alarming loopholes for the logging industry.
"Regional Forest Agreements are the best friend of Australia's logging industry. They have not only proven to be a toothless tiger for biodiversity conservation, but rather, the single biggest risk to the survival of Australia's beloved Koalas," Tabart OAM said.
The Australian Koala Foundation will take to the streets this September 1 in Canberra for the inaugural Koala Army's March for Creatures Great and Small – a March that will celebrate all of Australia's most beloved native icons, whilst also raising public awareness for the plight they currently face due to deforestation.
