Final answer:
Koalas are at risk of extinction due to habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, disease, and their limited range as an endemic species in Australia, coupled with their low reproductive rates.
Step-by-step explanation:
Koalas are at risk of extinction for several reasons, primarily due to human activities. Some of the contributing factors to their vulnerability include habitat destruction, such as deforestation for urban development, which reduces their living areas and food sources. Additionally, global climate change impacts their habitat by causing extreme weather patterns, wildfires, and altering the eucalyptus trees they depend on for food and shelter. Pollution is also a significant threat, as it can lead to diseases and genetic diversity reduction. Koalas are particularly susceptible to chlamydia, a disease exacerbated by stress due to habitat loss. Moreover, they are an endemic species, found only in Australia, which means that they have a limited geographic range and are more susceptible to extinction risks. The breeding patterns of koalas also contribute to their risk, as they have few offspring and require extensive parental care, limiting their ability to rapidly recover from population declines.