It is a fact that every county in Wisconsin except Milwaukee County, is home to a species of bears. When people think of the Wisconsin bear population they think of the common black bear. As they should, the department of national resources says that over 24,000 black bears call Wisconsin home.

What Wisconsinites do not realize that there is a secondary population of bears in southern Wisconsin that are much less ferocious. These bears are the Midwestern Pine Tree Koala.

An intelligent and inquisitive being, the Midwestern Pine Tree Koala rarely come to the ground and spend most of their life in the canopy of trees along the Rock River.

The Midwestern Tree Koala resembles it’s very close relative in Australia, The Borabee Koala. But, they have evolved differently.

First, the Midwestern Tree Koala has a layer of fat under it’s skin. This is so it can survive the harsh Wisconsin winters. Thus allowing them to hibernate throughout the months of November thru March in the tree tops.

Midwestern Tree Koala has eyesight comparable to humans. Not only does this allow them to navigate their high altitude tree environment. It helps them with their inter-koala relations.

The reproductive cycle of the Midwestern Tree Koala is much like a humans. Koala’s in Wisconsin are only able to get pregnant once a year, and have a nine month long gestation cycle. This does not allow the already small population to grow at a steady rate.

Why it’s endangered

The Midwestern Tree Koala is not technically on the endangered species list. We here at snickersee.com feel it needs to be added immediately.

The situation for the Midwestern Tree Koala is dire. It’s habitat is being threatened by encroachment of roads, and buildings. Thus suffocating the Koala’s ability to jump from tree top to tree top.

Not to mention, the booming population of natural predators in the Southern Wisconsin region such as, Bald Eagles, Bears, and Sasquatch Snakes.

This fear is not unwarranted, other North American species of Koala’s have already disappeared. Including ones who called the Ohio River Valley, and Arizona Dessert home.

The history of the Midwestern Tree Koala is relatively sad. While efforts in the past to preserve the remaining Midwestern Tree Koala. These movements met resistance from local municipalities. Who wanted to grow their communities in the name of progress.

Local Native American’s also have a history of hunting the Koala’s. They have been regarded as bad luck by the tribes, resulting in the pointless slaying of Koala’s on first sight.

How You Can Help

Want to be a Midwestern Tree Koala Activist, and spread awareness? First thing you can do is share this page, and bring awareness of the Koala’s to your friends and families.

You can also purchase a shirt! Wear it with pride, and promote the existence of these adorable creatures that call Rock County Wisconsin Home.

Click here to show your support, there are also coffee mugs available! The money collected does not go to the Koala’s in any shape or form. Just a heads up.