Bad Policy, or Bad Luck? Relocation of 13 Koalas Ends in Disaster

While koalas are sold as a great Aussie drawcard, the species appears to be in strife across the states.

A baby koala is seen at Wild Life Sydney Zoo in Sydney, Australia, on Oct. 14, 2021. Mark Evans/Getty Images

While Australia’s iconic grey marsupial may be a money-maker when it comes to tourism, the koala seems to be under strain as the result of government policy—in one form or another.

And while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has boasted of the nation’s “cute koalas” in an effort to lure in Chinese tourists, koalas back home are not faring quite so good.