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🇸🇬 Singapore /Environment & Climate

Even moderately hot days raise risk of koala deaths: Study

From The Straits Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Prolonged exposure to even moderately hot weather increases the risk of heat-related death for koalas, a new study reveals.
  • Researchers found that risks for adult koalas in New South Wales rose significantly when average maximum temperatures over seven days reached 27 degrees Celsius.
  • The findings highlight the vulnerability of wildlife, including koalas, to increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves driven by climate change.

Koalas face an increased risk of heat-related death even from moderately hot weather, according to a study published on May 27. Researchers analyzed over 20 years of data on koala rescues in New South Wales, Australia, revealing a significant threat posed by sustained heat.

Our findings suggest that even what might seem like moderate heat can become physiologically stressful when it is sustained over time.

— Dr Valentina MellaDr. Mella, lead author of the study from the University of Sydney, explains the significance of prolonged heat exposure on koala physiology.

The study, published in Biology Letters, found that the likelihood of adult koalas being admitted to care or dying increased when average maximum temperatures over a seven-day period hit 27 degrees Celsius. At 30 degrees Celsius or above, these risks were 1.5 to 3.5 times higher compared to conditions around 25 degrees Celsius. Dr. Valentina Mella, the lead author from the University of Sydney, noted that even moderate heat can become physiologically stressful when prolonged.

Koalas have natural adaptations to cope with heat, such as hugging trees for cooling or seeking shade. They can also conserve water by reabsorbing it from their colon and producing concentrated urine, or by allowing their body temperature to fluctuate. However, the study indicates that even extended periods at temperatures significantly below extreme heat levels can compromise their health and survival.

Our findings suggest that even what might seem like moderate heat can become physiologically stressful when it is sustained over time.

— Dr Valentina MellaDr. Mella, lead author of the study from the University of Sydney, explains the significance of prolonged heat exposure on koala physiology.

This research underscores the broader impact of climate change on wildlife. As heatwaves become more frequent and intense, animals like koalas, which are particularly vulnerable due to their specialized diet and relatively sedentary nature, are at greater risk. Habitat fragmentation can further hinder their ability to seek cooler areas, compounding the threat, especially for those already weakened by diseases like chlamydiosis. The findings suggest that endangered koala populations may face escalating challenges in adapting to a warming climate.

Our findings suggest that even what might seem like moderate heat can become physiologically stressful when it is sustained over time.

— Dr Valentina MellaDr. Mella, lead author of the study from the University of Sydney, explains the significance of prolonged heat exposure on koala physiology.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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