Update: An earlier version of this story mentions "koalas are functionally extinct". The claim was later declared not entirely true. Therefore, we have updated the story.

In the last ten years alone, dozens of animals and birds have gone extinct and vanished from the earth completely. Many believe now koalas could be next in line considering experts had claimed they were 'functionally extinct'. However, not all accept this claim. Being 'functionally extinct' means the animals are still there but their numbers are not enough to reproduce and sustain another generation of them.

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According to a report, some researchers believe it is difficult to measure the koala population and that it could be much higher than the one estimated by the Australian Koala Foundation. So no, they are not 'functionally extinct'.

With less than 80,000 koalas remaining, the animals are no longer able to influence the environment in any way. According to the New York Post, the species is falling prey to the change in climate and failing to adapt to hot temperatures and as a result, only 41 of the 128 known habitats of Koalas have any marsupials left.

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Although to a layman, 80,000 sounds like a big enough number to sustain a species, it isn't really the case. The Australian Koala Foundation reports that there are not many breeding adults left and the joeys are too vulnerable to diseases - chlamydia being the major killer. And since koalas are not too good when it comes to adapting and adjusting, if a new disease or genetic pathogen is introduced, it will be the end of them.

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But, there is still hope. Various activist groups are doing everything they can to keep the animals safe. “I know the Australian public are concerned for the safety of koalas and are tired of seeing dead koalas on our roads,” Deborah Tabart, chairman of Australian Koala Foundation said in a press release. “I am calling on the new prime minister after the May election to enact the Koala Protection Act (KPA) which has been written and ready to go since 2016.”

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“The AKF thinks there are no more than 80,000 Koalas in Australia. This is approximately 1% of the 8 million Koalas that were shot for fur and sent to London between 1890 and 1927...The most sickening thing about existing legislation is the fact that industry is given a permit ‘to take’ which is a nicer word for ‘kill’. All of the other species in those trees don’t even get that permit and die in silence. It would be a great way to start by protecting Koala forests which cover 20% of our continent,” she added.

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And at this point, it is not JUST the government's responsibility to save them. All of us can do our part and try to save the species. Even though Koalas are natives of Australia, AKF is letting animal lovers across the globe to do something for them. Not only can you buy cool merch and products from their website, but you can also donate to plant a eucalyptus tree and adopt your own koala bear!

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'When you adopt a Koala, you receive a beautiful personalised adoption certificate with a photo of your Koala, a welcome letter, Koala stickers, and more. And if you are in the area you can drop in and visit the adorable Koala you adopted!...Koalas are not pets. This is a symbolic Koala adoption, or a ‘foster’ program. Your monthly donation, which is a twelve month commitment, goes towards the work of helping save Koalas in the wild; so by adopting one of these gorgeous Koalas, you will be helping their less fortunate wild cousins!' You can adopt a little joey, a wild koala or both mum and joeys. Every little donation can make a big change. Check out the listing for adoptions here.