The Australian Koala Foundation estimates that in excess of 5,000 koalas are killed each year from land clearing, dog attack and being hit by cars. In the state of Queensland approximately 1,500 Koalas are admitted to hospital each year. Thirty to forty percent of admissions are estimated to be due to road related incidents, the second biggest cause of admission next to disease.

The road toll has been so extensive a nationwide awareness program has been created to educate drivers to be alert for koalas crossing roads at night. Koala friendly road signs are displayed throughout the country much to the delight of tourists who do not realize that they are there to warn them of the danger of driving over the little creatures.