- The Australian Koalas population suffered an extraordinary hit in the bush fires of Australia.
 
	- Australia recorded 2019 as its hottest year on record.
 
	- The Australian Koalas are to be put under “endangered” from “vulnerable” as 30% of their habitat were destroyed by the fires.
 
	- The Australian Koalas is herbivorous animals that are native to Australia. 
 
	- They are found in coastal areas of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia. 
 
	- The IUCN red list currently puts Australian Koala under Vulnerable Category.
 

Why were the bush fires severe?
	- The Indian Ocean Dipole was in its positive phase in 2019. 
 
	- This means, the eastern Indian Ocean (lying in the north west of Australia) was cooler than the western Indian. 
 
	- This drew away the moisture from Australia raising temperatures in Australia. 
 
	- The westerlies blowing hot air into the continent increased the fires further fanning them.