On the East Coast of Australia, where forests meet the urban fringe, koalas find themselves facing unprecedented challenges. THE KOALAS sheds light on a disturbing truth: the very entities entrusted with safeguarding our natural treasures are contributing to the demise of these emblematic creatures. The stories in the film show the struggle and resilience of this iconic species in the face of threatened extinction in the wild by 2050.
THE KOALAS takes audiences on a journey into the lives of individual koalas, led by the charismatic characters of Wonnie, Bexley, Tom, Baz and joeys Hope and Pala. In the unfolding stories, viewers witness the unique characteristics of each koala, the bond with their young, and the work of the dedicated wildlife carers. These seven koalas emerge as ambassadors for all koalas striving against multiple threats to their survival, as climate change intensifies, wildfires, floods, and extreme weather events wreak havoc on both wildlife and human infrastructure.
Weaving stories with compelling characters- wildlife carers, scientists, and ecologists in the field, and informed commentary, the film asks whether Australia can save an iconic species like the koala. If not, what does it say about us? The new documentary reveals stories of struggle, resilience, and the threatened extinction of an iconic species.

Director

GREGORY MILLER

Producer

GEORGIA WALLACE-CRABBE

Story

This documentary follows the fight to save Australia’s koalas, projected to go extinct in the wild by 2050. In south-west Sydney, a key koala population lies in the path of major housing development. As habitat is cleared, local group Save Sydney’s Koalas challenges government and developers over broken conservation promises.
We follow rescued koalas and wildlife carers, revealing the impact of car strikes, dog attacks and widespread chlamydia. At koala hospitals in Port Macquarie and Lismore, vets work to treat injured animals and support recovery after fires, heat and drought. Researchers track koalas to understand habitat, behaviour and future resilience.
In Victoria, koalas live in plantations destined for harvest, leading to culling and population control. Experts ask how housing and land use can better consider habitat, using solutions like wildlife crossings. The film questions whether the current approach to urban growth can coexist with koalas’ future survival.