Entrepreneur Misha Peleg has always had a soft spot for animals. Lately, he has been especially concerned about endangered species threatened by climate change, habitat loss and human impact. As a student of climate change and a philanthropist who has always put animals first, Misha is particularly touched by the plight of Australia’s koalas.
In recent years, the world has lost huge populations of these chunky, cuddly-looking marsupials. Threats include raging wildfires of historic breadth, extreme drought intensified by climate change, and habitat destruction caused by land clearing.
Koalas live in the eucalyptus forests of southeastern and eastern Australia. They mainly spend their lives sleeping and eating, and they count on eucalyptus trees for both habitat and food. Fun fact? These fuzzy marsupials can eat more than a pound of eucalyptus leaves a day.
These unique creatures have two opposable thumbs on their hands. Both their feet and hands also have rough pads and claws to grab onto branches.
Studies show that koala populations face threats such as wildfires, disease, vehicles, and domestic dogs, but their dwindling numbers are under increasing pressure.
Misha Peleg is a strong supporter of efforts to rehabilitate koalas burned in bushfires, and protect their ever-shrinking habitat from destruction. For several years, he has paid close attention to the sweeping fires that raged through New South Wales, Australia, killing thousands of the slow-moving animals and consuming the eucalyptus trees that provide food and habitat for these creatures.
Koalas are marsupials, meaning they carry their young in a pouch. These tree-climbing marsupials are herbivores that need a sprawling environment of about 100 eucalyptus trees apiece. This is a growing problem of potentially epic proportions as urban development continues to encroach on their habitat.
Misha is a strong backer of organizations that strive to create preserves and sanctuaries for these beautiful creatures. He has also been active in urging the government to set aside land for koala reserves to ensure their survival.
Misha Peleg has long anonymously supported programs that provide instruction on proper capture and handling techniques needed to save these beautiful animals in areas ravaged by bushfires.
He particularly aims to help ensure proper training for fire service volunteers who help rescue koalas in distress. This is because fire service volunteers are the most likely to be first on the scene of a deadly fire. Training is vital for quickly and effectively treating injured koalas. Misha believes that wildlife programs that support training volunteers to deal with injured wildlife should receive top consideration for funding.
Misha’s concern extends to the recovery of the koala habitat. He supports new possibilities for preserving and increasing the eucalyptus tree canopy, which provides food, water, and shade for koalas. Koalas spend between 18 and 22 hours in the trees sleeping and eating.
Misha Peleg is determined to spread awareness about climate change affecting koalas, their shrinking habitat, and the aftermath of bushfires.
You can read more about Misha Peleg’s work in animal rescue and supporting endangered species in one of our previous blogs here.
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