An immersive, entertaining journey into the hidden life of the koala, revealing what life is really like up in the trees
'The tree-dwelling koala is one of Australia's most iconic species, yet it is threatened by habitat loss. Danielle Clode, a natural storyteller, has written an insightful book that deepens our understanding of this fascinating animal and highlights the urgency of its survival.' Peter Wohlleben, author of The Hidden Life of Trees
Despite their iconic status and celebrity, koalas remain something of a mystery. Often affectionate in captivity, they seek out human assistance when in need of water or care yet can also be fierce and belligerent. They are beloved worldwide and feature in popular children's stories, but are also plagued by sexually transmitted diseases and maligned for a lack of intelligence. Their diet consists solely of leaves that are full of toxins. In some states they are threatened with extinction, while in others they are dying from overpopulation.
Fuelled by her biologist's background and deep curiosity, Danielle Clode delves into the world of koalas to discover what's behind the sweet face on thousands of postcards. From their megafaunal ancestors to the disastrous effects of colonisation, from remarkable conservation success in the 1920s to the devastating bushfires of 2019-2020, Clode tells the story of koalas and their complex relationship with humans. Sharing the latest scientific insights and myth-busting facts, all woven through Clode's award-winning storytelling, Koala takes readers up into the trees to reveal the truth about this extraordinary animal and what must be done to ensure its survival.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book go towards supporting wildlife conservation efforts in Australia.
About the Author
Danielle Clode is a biologist and natural history author. Her books include Killers in Eden, which was made into an award-winning ABC TV documentary; Voyage to the South Seas, winner of the Victorian Premier's Literary Award for Non-fiction; and The Wasp and the Orchid, which was shortlisted for National Biography Award. Her most recent book is In Search of the Woman who Sailed the World.
Industry Reviews
'A vividly written and thoroughly researched celebration of the lives of koalas. Filled with fascinating and often surprising information, the book is also an invitation to honour and protect these extraordinary animals.' David George Haskell
' ... the humility of her approach encourages us to interrogate the koala information, or lore, even as we receive it, thus promoting the kind of active reading that must surely enhance the way we go on to experience the landscape around us.' -Gregory Day, The Saturday Age
' Danielle Clode is one of our great nature writers - she knows the science from the inside and can systematically lay out masses of information in easily digestible form. But she can also be poetic, evocative and moving.' -Nick Mattiske, Insights Magazine
