US EditionKoalas Spend only 1% of Their Lives on the Ground—but It's Killing Them
AUSTRALIA, JUL 9 – Koalas spend just 10 minutes daily on the ground where 66% of deaths occur from dog attacks and vehicle strikes, highlighting risks linked to habitat fragmentation, researchers said.
- On July 9, 2025, researchers led by Gabriella Sparkes presented a study in Antwerp, Belgium, documenting wild koalas' ground movements.
- The study arose from little knowledge about koalas' ground behavior amid rapid population decline caused by habitat loss and fragmentation.
- Using GPS collars and accelerometers, the team found koalas spend less than 1% of their day on the ground, about 10 minutes nightly in 2–3 visits.
- Although koalas spend only a small amount of time on the ground, the majority of their documented fatalities happen during these periods, primarily due to attacks by dogs and collisions with vehicles, underscoring a significant risk during their terrestrial activity.
- These findings suggest that improving habitat connectivity and reducing ground travel could aid koala conservation and reduce fatalities in fragmented landscapes.
38 Articles
38 Articles
der Standard AT
der Standard DEAccording to one study, two thirds of all known Koala deaths are due to short stays on the ground. Human beings also make the life of Koalas more dangerous
Koalas spend almost their whole life on trees. On the ground they are extremely rare. But if they have to, it often ends up fatal for them. According to a study, this has two main reasons.
According to one study, Koalas spend less than one percent of their time on the ground. These few minutes are often fatal. There are two main reasons for this.
Koalas Spend Only 1% Of Their Life On The Ground – But It’s Killing Them
New research reveals that koalas only spend around 10 minutes per day on the ground, but this ground-time is associated with two-thirds of recorded koala deaths. The post Koalas Spend Only 1% Of Their Life On The Ground – But It’s Killing Them appeared first on Study Finds.
Koalas spend only 1% of their lives on the ground—but it's killing them
Koalas are a nationally endangered and iconic species in Australia, yet their populations are rapidly declining due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and disease, and very little is known about the fine-scale movements of koalas—especially when they're on the ground. New research reveals that koalas only spend around 10 minutes per day on the ground, but this ground-time is associated with two-thirds of recorded koala deaths.
Daily Journal
Why being on the ground is so deadly for koalas
New research revealed that two-thirds of recorded koala deaths occur during the brief period they spend on the ground.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 65% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
