The Koala lives only in some small Australian forest of eucalyptus trees and is not present in any other part of the world. In the beginning of the 1900s millions of Koalas populated the whole of Australia, but they were hunted to such an extent that the numbers of these charming, shy animals were drastically reduced within just a few years. 

The Koala is a tree-dweller and descends to the ground only to lick the mineral salts which it needs . It is an expert climber and the sharp claws at the end of its paws enable it to scale the highest, smoothest trunks.

It likes to be nocturnal and spends the day with its arms comfortably around a branch.

The Koala live in groups of around 20 individuals which communicate with each other by loud cries.  Its one source of food is the hardest, toughest leaves of a special type of eucalyptus.  The rhythm of reproduction of these animals is very slow. This adds to the problems of safeguarding them.

However, for many years, the Koala has been protected by the Australian Government which has also re-introduced the Koala back into the regions where it once lived