An immersive journey into the hidden life of the koala – an Australian icon

Despite their iconic status and celebrity, koalas remain a mystery. Often affectionate in captivity, they seek out humans when in need of water or care yet can also be fierce and belligerent. They are beloved worldwide, 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 background in biology, 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, Koala takes readers up into the trees to reveal the truth about this extraordinary animal and what must be done to ensure its survival.

In the tradition of Peter Wohlleben, Sy Montgomery and David George Haskell, this is nature and science writing at its best.