Wildlife experts are urging government action, claiming that the beloved native Australian animal is now at risk of becoming functionally extinct.

Koala populations have nearly halved due to urban expansion, loss of habitat, disease and climate change over the past two decades, and experts believe they remain under threat.

“There is a risk of extinction,” Central Queensland University’s koala ecologist Rolf Schlagloth said.

“The time frame is pretty difficult to determine. The biggest threat has always been and still is the loss and the fragmentation of habitat. We are still losing more habitat every year, and in some states it’s worse than others.”

Exact koala population numbers are largely unknown due to the aftermath of the 2019-20 bushfires; however government estimates reveal that in 2001 there were roughly 184,748 koalas in Queensland, NSW and the ACT.

This figure had dropped to about 92,184 by 2021.

It is estimated that there are around 450,000 koalas in Victoria, but this figure is often subject to scrutiny.

Deborah Tabart from the Australian Koala Foundation has called on Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to implement a moratorium on critical habitats in NSW, Queensland and the ACT.

“Do I think the koala could leave this planet? Absolutely,” Ms Tabart said.

“Do I think that if we acted now and stopped cutting down the trees that they could recover? Yes I do. But I don’t think the new minister has anywhere near the urgency that she needs, and that’s why I’m calling for a moratorium on habitats that are essential for breeding populations.”

In February, the conservation status of koala populations in Queensland, NSW and the ACT changed from “vulnerable’’ to “endangered’’ under national biodiversity laws.

Victoria and South Australia’s koala populations are not listed, as numbers are considered to be generally stable.

The Queensland government has said the principal threat to koalas is habitat loss due to urban development.

“Disease also threatens koalas. Loss of habitat, including loss of food and shelter, is a major stress for koalas. During times of stress, koalas are prone to outbreaks of the disease chlamydia,” a government website states.

Ms Tabart accused the government of failing to take action in order to control the plantation logging industry. However, a departmental spokesman said it was committed to the protection and recovery of threatened koala populations.

“We are investing in research and practical, on-ground actions to support koala recovery, in collaboration with all levels of government, NGOs, universities, wildlife experts and the community,” the spokesman said.

“In addition to increased legislative protection, a national recovery plan for the threatened koala populations was released earlier this year, setting a clear pathway for investment and action to support the recovery of the species.”

More than $70 million in federal funding is being invested in koala conservation.

- With AAP.