Koalas & Dog Attacks

Koalas have also been the unfortunate victims of the dog attacks throughout Australia. Most recently, the magnitude and impact of the dog attacks on koalas have increased on an alarming rate. Dog attacks on koalas are so frequent that they have become the third major cause of incidental death among koalas. Koalas who themselves lack agility and energy are no-match for agile and energetic aggression of dogs within their surroundings.

Koalas are also the unfortunate victims of the dog attacks while the dog attacks continue to grow. Dog attacks are considered as the third major cause of death (incidental) within koalas.

Conservationists and the koala experts believe that the rise of the rapid urbanization, habitat loss and irresponsible dog keeping are considered as the root cause for the rising dog attacks on koalas. Even though a lot of awareness campaigns have been launched over the years, but the dog attacks on koalas continue to rise. This article covers the impact of the dog attacks on koalas from various perspectives i.e., survival rate, nature of dog attacks and seasonal causalities etc. while at the same time stresses the importance of the responsible dog keeping to minimize the dog attacks on koalas.

Koalas are Victims of
The Dog Attacks Dog Attacks are Major Cause of
Death Among Koalas Reasons of Dog Attacks
Rapid Urbanization & Irresponsible Dog Keeping Dog Attacks are Rising
Despite Awareness Campaigns

Koalas are the victim of dog attacks.
Unfortunately; koalas have been the victims of the dog attacks and these attacks serve as one of the leading cause of death within koalas. Photo courtesy of  

According to the koala experts, the survival rate of koalas after falling victim to the dog attacks is also very low. Statistics indicate that more than 80% of koalas either die before reaching hospitals or have to be euthanized to stop their further suffering from the inflicted wounds. Moreover; most of the surviving koalas after dog attacks are usually the koala joeys which stay safe within the pouch of their mothers.

More than 80% of koalas suffering from dog attacks either die because of wounds or they are being euthanized. Dogs inflict puncture wounds on koalas which are very lethal and deadly.

Whereas; the injured koalas have very little chance of survival as most of them succumb to injuries of dog attack. The most common type of wounds which dogs inflict on koalas include the puncture wounds in their legs, thighs, arms and back. Some koalas are even observed to have lost their eyes because of the dog attacks as well.

More than 80% Koalas
Die Because of Dog Attacks Victims of Dog Attacks
Are usually Euthanized Joeys usually survive Dog Attacks
For Staying Inside their Mother's Pouch Koalas Lose their Eyes
Because of Dog Attacks

80% koalas die in dog attacks.
More than 80% of koalas which suffer from dog attacks usually die. Koalas are very weak and they can't survive the trauama and wounds caused by the dog attacks. Photo courtesy of  

Researchers have concluded that the dog attacks on koalas occur more frequently in September than any other month. September is the beginning of the mating season for koalas, therefore; most of the koalas are on the move in search of a possible mate within their surroundings. However; some of them are very unfortunate and fall victim to dogs who usually maul them to death.

Most of the dog attacks on koalas usually take place during the month of September. In this month, koalas are usually on roam to find their mate.

The mating season for koalas starts from September and lasts till April in Australia. Therefore; within these months and especially in September, it is highly likely that dogs may find roaming koalas while considering them as intruders. Apart from mating season, koalas may also roam around during the Australian bushfire seasons and may also fall victim to the dog attacks.

Most of the Dog Attacks
Happen During the Mating Season of Koalas During the Mating Seasons
Male Koalas Roam & Fall Victims to Dogs Dogs Consider Koalas
As Intruders in their Territory During Australian Bushfires
Koalas also become Victims of Dog Attacks

Dog attacks usually happen during breeding and mating season of koalas.
Most of the dog attacks happen during the mating and breeding season of koalas which starts in September and ends in April. Photo courtesy of  

Medium and large-sized dogs pose the biggest threat to koalas, as these dogs are powerful and strong enough to overpower other koalas. Over the years it has been observed that the survival rate of koalas against medium and large-sized dogs is a lot lower than the smaller dogs.

Medium and Large-sized dogs are not only responsible for maximum attacks on koalas but also responsible for maximum casualties too. Small dogs are only responsible for 4% of attacks on koalas.

Medium and large-sized dogs are defined by the researchers to be more than 11 Kg in weight and these dogs are mostly responsible for attacking and killing koalas (More than 90%). On the other hand; dogs with less than 10 Kg weight are less likely to attack koalas and according to the estimates only 4% of smaller dogs are responsible for the koala attack.

Medium & Large Sized Dogas
Are Responsible for Killing Koalas Small-Sized Dogs
Only Responsible for Killing 4% Koalas Dogs with 10Kg in Weight
Are Considered as Medium and Large Sized Dogs

Koalas deaths occur because of medium and large-sized dogs.
Medium and Large-sized dogs are mostly responsible for more than 90% of deaths through dog attacks on Koalas. Photo courtesy of  

Sick and elderly koalas are also very likely to fall victim to the dog attacks. The elderly koalas are often expelled out of their territories by younger and stronger males. Elderly koalas roam around the areas in search of new territories and on ground they fall victim to the dog attacks.

Sick and elderly koalas are very likely to become victims of the dog attacks. Elderly koalas lose their territories and in search of new territories they often suffer from dog attacks on the ground.

Similarly; sick koalas usually leave their trees and stay at the bottom of trees and are also very likely to fall victim to either some predator or dogs. Among many diseases of koalas, Chalmydia and Red eye diseases are very common within koalas. Both of these diseases can cause koalas to lose their vision and become extremely vulnerable to the dog attacks.

Most Victims of Dog Attacks
Sick Koalas Victims of Dog Attacks
Male Koalas Victims of Dog Attacks
Old-aged Koalas Koalas Suffering from Chalmydia
Also Victims of Dog Attacks

Sick koalas are usually the victims of dog attacks.
Sick koalas are usually the biggest victims of dog attacks along with male koalas which are roaming for mating and also elderly or old-aged koalas too. Photo courtesy of 

It has also been observed that koalas in rural areas are more likely to suffer from dog attacks than in the urban areas. Medium and large-sized dogs are unleashed mostly in the rural areas and they have no mercy in killing koalas. Lastly; the koala conservationists have stressed for responsible dog-keeping to reduce the toll of dog attacks on koalas. They have chalked-out the following points which may reduce the dog attacks on koalas. These points include

Have a watchful eye on your dogs during the breeding season of koalas. September is the beginning of the breeding season of koalas while the breeding season normally occurs in between September and April.
Always leash your dog, when you are having a walk outside your backyard. It is illegal to unleash your dog inside the public parks.
If a koala resides on a tree within your house, immediately move your dog into another location. Or put your dog in some enclosure unless that koala leaves the tree. Koalas often come down the trees and search another tree for the fresh Eucalyptus trees.
If a roaming koala has accidentally visited your backyard, first leash or secure your dog for the safety of that koala and then try to chase it off from your backyard.
Even though you think that your dog is playful with other animals yet still do not allow your dog to play with koala. Otherwise a koala may assume dogs to be friendly and may fall victim to an aggressive dog on another occasion.
Small dogs merely offer any threat for koalas, therefore; having small dogs should be the top priority over the larger dogs in the areas where koalas are in abundance. In case of medium and large-sized dogs, they should be kept in koala-proof enclosure, so that they may not hurt koalas in any circumstances.

Lastly; complain against all the irresponsible dog-keepers to the authorities.

Responsible dog keeping can prevent dog attacks on koalas.
Dog attacks on koalas can be preventing by practicing responsible dog keeping. Photo courtesy of