Brits' cash helps save koalas from extinction

Breeding project as numbers tumble

-  ANDY LINES

A BREEDING centre is being built to help save koalas amid fears they could be wiped out by 2050.

Loss of habitat and disease have led to a dramatic drop in the population over the last century from an estimated 10 million in 1923 to 43,000 today.

Catastrophic wildfires in recent years have worsened the situation.

An international appeal to raise £12,000 for 145 koala drinking stations during the wildfires ended up raising £3.5million from animal lovers including thousands of Brits, who were among the most generous of those who donated from around the world.