butt naked does save the koala month
Save a Koala Month is here and we're ready to shed light on these beautiful, furry creatures and how the Australian Koala Foundation is trying to help them
Koala's, being the unofficial mascot of this country, are cute, little, furry animals that us Aussies are quite protective over. Usually found in eucalyptus trees, these marsupials sleep for up to 18-20 hours a day (if only we could be so lucky), and love to munch on tasty leaves, about 1/2 - 1 kilo each night.
Unfortunately for them (and us), Koala's are slowly disappearing. The dangerous threat these peaceful animals are facing include the loss of their habitat and the trees they need for food in order to survive. Koalas are loved around the world, but none more so than Australians, they live in our backyard after all, and it's up to us to ensure they're around for future generations to love as well.
Check out Prada and Tallow, like are they cutest things you've ever seen or are they the cutest things you've ever seen (located in Paradise Country, Gold Coast, QLD).
This is where the Australian Koala Foundation comes in.
The Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) has been in operation and striving to make the world a safer place for Koalas since their inception in 1986. The AKF is the principal non-profit, non-government organisation dedicated to the effective management and conservation of the Koala and its habitat (*standing ovation*).
The AKF is completely self-funded and does not take one dollar from any level of government (we love an organisation doin' it for themselves). This gives the AKF an incredibly free voice for the Koala and for the protection of its habitat. From their humble beginnings in 1986, they have now funded over $15 million worth of research and conservation projects, including the Koala Habitat Atlas, Koala Protection Act, Bob’s Map and more.
Their main goals are to refine and update the Koala Habitat Atlas mapping of all wild Koala habitat and to ensure the Koala Protection Act is enacted so all Koalas and Koala habitat are protected.
One of the ways they do this is through their fantastic fundraising campaign through the month of September.
September 2020 is Save the Koala Month and September 25th is Save the Koala Day. Yes that's right, a specific day and a whole month dedicated to protecting and raising awareness for our fave furry friends.
In other words, this is the time of year to celebrate all things Koala, and luckily for you, there are many ways to get involved in all of the festivities. Perhaps you can hold a bake sale? Maybe have a Koala themed party? Or even adopt a Koala (just like yours truly).
The AKF has recently released the AKF Fundraising Guide, filled to the brim with some amazing ideas on how to fundraise for Koalas and even includes a section with simple ways to raise money, so like, you really have no excuse not to.
One of their key dedications includes the Koala Protection Act.
Koala populations are in serious decline due to habitat destruction, drought, fatal domestic and wild dog attacks, bushfire, strikes from vehicles and disease. However, there is no adequate legislation to protect Koalas and their habitat in Australia, and this is something that baffles the mind of the AKF.
That is why they are committed to the enactment of the Koala Protection Act (KPA), which will change environmental law in Australia forever. The Koala Protection Act is a simple piece of national legislation that has been formulated by the AKF in consultation with Australian and overseas lawyers. It is based on the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, which sought and achieved the protection of an iconic American species.
Imagine Australia without our incredible Koalas and other wildlife, honestly it doesn't seem possible. It's an incredibly sad thought but there is hope, and that hope is the KPA. When enacted the KPA will insist that the Koala should be treated with immense respect, and that every single tree on the Australian landscape needs to be protected; not only for the Koalas, but millions of other species living there, including humans. Remember the chilling phrase: ‘No Tree No Me', that's sure to kick the government's butt into gear.
Another one of their key achievements includes the AKF Adoption Program.
AKF has offered the AKF Adoption Program since the late 1990s which allows supporters to adopt a Koala from anywhere in the world (talk about a dream come true).
With the bushfires at the start of this year devastating our entire country and harming our beloved native animals, we took it upon ourselves to help any way we could.....and that meant adopting Jimmie Jams.
Jimmie Jams is located in Ballarat Wildlife Park, Ballarat, VIC.
Trouble is Jimmie's middle name. Jimmie is an energetic and cheeky young man who is constantly bugging his mumma Ella for a ride on her back. He loves his eucalyptus leaves as much as he loves swinging off the scales on weigh day, even when he's already had his turn. Jimmie loves cuddles and meeting new people so he can show off his good looks. Livin' it up at the Ballarat Wildlife Park, this furry cutiepie is 2.5 years old, and we love him (probably more than we have any right to).
The AKF has Koalas available for adoption in various locations across Australia. These include; Paradise Country (Gold Coast, QLD), Ballarat Wildlife Park (Ballarat, VIC), Perth’s Outback Splash (Perth, WA), Adventure World (Perth, WA), Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (Brisbane, QLD), Wildlife HQ (Sunshine Coast, QLD).
This program is a symbolic Koala adoption or a ‘foster’ program. Supporters’ monthly donation, which is a twelve-month commitment goes towards AKF’s work of saving Koalas in the wild. By adopting a Koala, supporters receive a beautiful personalised adoption certificate with a photo of their Koala, a welcome letter, Koala stickers and more. If in the area, supporters can drop in and visit the adorable Koala they have adopted. You better believe we've already planned a trip to visit our adorable Jimmie Jams the minute this lockdown is over.
Some of the other Koalas currently up for adoption are Rosé and Sebastian. You can peep them below.
Both Sebastian and Darrau are located in Ballarat Wildlife Park (Ballarat, VIC) and Paradise Country (Gold Coast, QLD) respectively.
