Environmentalists warn that koalas, the symbol of Australia, are facing extinction as the rapid urbanization on the east coast destroys their fragile habitats.

After investigating 1000 koala habitats, the Australian koala foundation wrote to the government, urging the government to declare koalas as vulnerable species. The investigation found that 30% of the habitats no longer have koalas, and 60% of the habitats were extensively destroyed.

Deborah Tabarat, executive director of the foundation, told reporters: "I firmly believe that if we don't take measures, koalas will become extinct in my lifetime." .

Koalas are protected by law, but eucalyptus, which they call home and provide the only food source, is not protected by law.

There are about 100000 koalas in Australia, which decreased from the estimated 7 million koalas when white people settled in 1788 to100000. In 1920, 3 million koalas were killed for their fur.

Tabarat said that the main problem faced by koalas is that most of Australia's 20 million people and most of the koala population make the eastern States of Australia their homes.

She said that with the destruction of 80% temperate forests on the east coast of Australia and the continuous rapid urbanization, koalas on the east coast may become extinct within 15 years.

"This animal is in big trouble," Tabarat said.

"In 15 years, you won't see koalas west of the watershed," she said, referring to Australia's great watershed, the mountain range that separates Australia's east coast from the inland countryside.

Wild koalas exist only in four of Australia's six states: Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

This marsupial has no natural enemies, but its number has been declining for decades due to urban expansion, car accidents and dog attacks.

The foundation says on its website that more than 4,000 koalas are killed by dogs and cars every year.

Tabarat said that the area with the largest number of koalas on the Australian mainland is southeast Queensland, with about 10000, but it is also in danger of extinction in 15 years.

Southeast Queensland is the fastest growing region in Australia. Tabarat said that in the past eight years,16,000 koalas in this area died or were fatally injured after being hit by a car accident or a dog, and another10,000 koalas may have died in the bushes.