название : Koala: Origins of an Icon
издательство: Published by Allen & Unwin
автор: Stephen Jackson
год: December 2007
язык :English
формат: pdf
страниц : 352
ISBN: 1741750318
размер : 4,09 мб
Australia's best-loved animal is recognised around the world, but not much is widely known of its fascinating history and unique ecology.
Adored for its large fluffy ears, spoon-shaped nose and bright button eyes, the koala is universally recognised and revered as an Australian icon.
But it hasn't always been so. After coexisting successfully with Aborigines for thousands of years, the koala was considered sloth-like by the early Europeans and valued for little more than its fur, and by the early twentieth century millions of koalas had been hunted, driving the species to near-extinction.
Yet the koala is also one of the most well-adapted and resilient of Australia's marsupials, described by some as a triumph of evolution.
How does it survive, and thrive even, on such indigestible fare as eucalyptus leaves, laden as they are with enough toxic phenols to kill most other animals?
In this fascinating story of the koala, respected biologist and author Stephen Jackson examines not only the ecology, behaviour and history of this extraordinary animal, but also ongoing threats such as disease and habitat loss, and the controversial debate about how to best manage the remaining populations of Australia's favourite marsupial. In this fascinating story of the koala, the ecology, behavior, and history of this extraordinary animal are explored, as well as ongoing threats to its existence, such as disease and habitat loss, and the controversial debate about how to best manage the populations of Australia's favorite marsupial.
Tracing its origins from a peaceful relationship with Aborigines to Europeans valuing only its fur to its rightful place an Australian icon, this investigation shows the resilient and adaptive nature of the koala—described by many as a triumph of evolution. Today its homeland is compromised, and the creature is endangered, and this remarkable recollection of its life stands as a testament to its necessary survival.
