Australia's koalas under serious threat as opening of national park delayed

Source: CNA

BELLINGEN, New South Wales: A tug of war between conservationists, the timber industry and state authorities is threatening the survival of one of Australia's most iconic and beloved creatures - the koala.

The New South Wales government has pledged to open a national park on the mid-north coast, covering thousands of hectares, for the state's dwindling koala population.

But a report by public policy think tank The Australia Institute claimed authorities are deliberately stalling the opening of the sanctuary.

It said the government wants to first secure another way to make money from the trees before putting an end to logging and land clearing, which involves exploiting the forest for carbon credits.