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Sources

Where the facts come from

Every factual claim links to its source. This is the full list, and every place where the sources disagree.

How we checked

Each fact was written alongside its source. Our build script stores the source text and checks that the key words and figures appear in it. 48 checks on the last build. Sources read on 12 Nov 2026. Figures that can change carry “checked 12 Nov 2026”.

Main sources: the Australian Museum, the Queensland Government, the Australian Government conservation advice for the listed koala, NSW Environment and Heritage on chlamydia, CSIRO and the IUCN Red List.

When sources disagree

Where trusted sources give different figures, we show them all.

How many koalas are there?

The IUCN’s 100,000–500,000 figure is mature individuals from a 2014 assessment (published 2020, and marked as needing an update). CSIRO’s 2025 National Koala Monitoring Program estimate of 729,000–918,000 is a later, Australia-wide modelled total, and CSIRO says the rise may reflect better surveys rather than a real boom. They are not the same number, and neither is a simple headcount.

Vulnerable, or Endangered?

Both can be true at once. The IUCN assesses the species as Vulnerable worldwide. Under Australian law, the combined Queensland, New South Wales and ACT populations are listed as Endangered from 12 February 2022; Victorian and South Australian populations are not listed as threatened under the EPBC Act.

Do koalas drink water?

  • Most of their water comes from the leaves, which can be up to about 50% water, so they often have no need to climb down for a drink — except in very hot or dry periods. Queensland Government: Koala facts

They get most of their water from leaves, which is why the “never drink” story spread — but official Queensland advice is that they will climb down for a drink in very hot or dry weather.

All sources (7)