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Some 45 million years ago, koalas or koala-like animals probably first evolved on the Australian continent. During this period in history, Australia began to drift slowly northward, gradually separating from the Antarctic land mass. Fossil remains of koala-like animals have been found dating back as far as 25 million years ago. As the climate changed and Australia became drier, vegetation adapted until eucalyptus, or gum trees, evolved. As the gum trees became more and more abundant, koalas became dependent on them for food and evolved special features that enable them to cope with this high fibre, low protein diet. Aborigines are thought to have arrived in Australia around 60,000 years ago. Koalas were a readily available food source for the Aboriginies, but they were able to maintain fairly stable populations until the arrival of European settlers (Australian Koala Foundation).

Over the years, the koala has become one of Australia's most loved animals. Because koalas look very similar to our stuffed Teddy Bears, these cute animals are commonly refered to as koala "bears". Koalas have stocky bodies and have only the slight hint of a tail, which makes their appearance comparable to that of a bear. However, despite this popular expression and their striking ressemblance, koalas are not bears and are not closely related to bears. Koalas are marsupials, which means that the females protect and nurture their developing young in a pouch. In fact, the koala's closest relative is the wombat. It is believed that 25 million years ago koalas and wombats shared a common ancestor. Although these two animals have different habitats and structure, they have common anatomical features that point to a shared past. The females of both species has a backward facing pouch, which makes them slightly different from other marsupials (Koala Express).

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Sub-Class: Marsupialia
Order: Diprotodonta
Sub-Order: Vombatoidea
Infra Order: Phascolarctomorphia
Family: Phascolarctidae
Genus: Phascolarctos "pouched-bear"
Species: cenereus "ash-colored"

Historically, humans have had detrimental effects on koala populations. As white settlers began to move into Australia in the late 1700's, the diet of many native tribes slowly began to change, and the koala was no longer part of the menu. However, as settlement progressed koala populations began to suffer as their habitats were destroyed for the creation of farmland. Koala furs also became regonized as a potential source of economic gain in fur trading. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries the number of koalas declined drastically. During this time period, approximately 3,000,000 koalas were killed for their thick, soft fur. In 1927, following the public outcry that arrose from the reducing koala population, the Australian government began protecting koalas. It is now illegal to hunt or intentionally kill a koala without special permission (Save the Koala).

Phascolarctos cinereus has become an icon of the Australian culture, but despite this symbolic status, koala populations in Australia remain in danger. Along with the industrialization and continued development of Australia, there has become an increased demand for clear land. As a result, the koala's habitat is steadily being fragmented and destroyed. Since European settlement began in 1788, approximately 80% of Australia's eucalypt forests have been totally destroyed. Of the remaining 20% almost none is protected and most occurs on privately owned land (Australian Koala Foundation). Eucalypt forests are essential for the success of koala populations, and if these trees continue to be destroyed koalas will have no place to go. It is currently speculated that there are only between 40,000 and 80,000 koalas remaining in the wild (Australian Koala Foundation). This is due to the destruction of their natural habitat. Today, koala populations do benefit from various conservation efforts, but with few natural predators, humans are still the greatest threat facing wild koala populations.