Koalas nearly went extinct before humans arrived, DNA study reveals
A new genomic study reveals that koalas experienced a major population decline 100,000 years ago due to climate change, long before human arrival in Australia. While modern threats like habitat loss are human-driven, this research provides a new timeline for the species' genetic history.
Why it matters
Correcting the timeline of koala population history helps conservationists better understand how the species responds to environmental stressors.
A major genomic analysis is changing scientists' understanding of koala evolution. The research indicates that koalas ( Phascolarctos cinereus ) underwent a severe population decline about 100,000 years ago, well before humans reached Australia.
The report focuses on genomic data and academic research findings.
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