A British expat living in Australia has sparked a heated debate on social media after claiming that the country is a “scam” for not delivering on its promise of koalas.
Ella Wilson, who has been living in Noosa for six months, has been desperately trying to spot a native koala in the wild, but so far, she’s had no luck.
The Elusive Koala: A Rare Sight in Australia
Despite following signs and visiting areas known for their thriving koala habitats, Wilson has come up empty-handed.
She’s even visited Tewantin National Park, which is supposed to be home to over 300 koalas, but after an hour of searching, she saw nothing.
@ellatravellife Watch out for this! #travel #travellife #australia #scam ♬ original sound – Ella Wilson
“I’ve been walking for over an hour, looking at every single tree. My neck is aching. There’s nothing,” she said in a video on TikTok.
The Truth About Koalas in Australia
But is Wilson’s experience really a surprise? The koala population in Australia is dwindling due to loss of habitat, and it’s estimated that there are only up to 57,000 left in the wild across eastern Australia.
The Australian Koala Foundation has sounded the alarm, warning that the species is at risk of mass extinction in some states.
However, the government estimates that there are over 400,000 koalas in the country, with known habitats in the southeast and eastern parts of the country.
Aussies Weigh In: Have You Ever Seen a Koala in the Wild?
Wilson’s complaint has sparked a lively discussion on social media, with many Australians admitting that they’ve never seen a koala in the wild.
“I’ve lived in Australia since 1995 and yet to see a koala in the wild,” said one user. Another shared, “I’ve lived in Oz for 40 years, never seen a Koala in the wild, and I do a lot of bushwalking.”
One person suggested that Wilson visit Port Macquarie, a town in NSW that’s home to over 2,000 koalas, but even there, major development has forced the native animals away from their home.
The Fight to Save the Koalas
As the debate rages on, environmental groups are continuing their efforts to save the dwindling koala population.
They stress that habitat clearing needs to stop if the species has any chance of surviving. Wilson, meanwhile, remains hopeful that she’ll eventually see a koala in the wild.
“I’m so sad, but I hope to eventually see at least one,” she said. Will she get her wish? Only time will tell.