Prior to European settlement, millions of koalas inhabited Australia. Now there could be fewer than 300,000. Although koalas live in National Parks and State Forests, a vast number occur privately-owned land. One reason for this is that Koalas prefer the fertile lands where people like to live. Unfortunately, current legislation allows the removal of koala habitat on privately-owned properties. In the Hastings-Macleay area, a variety of eucalypts are important food trees for local Koalas including Tallowwood, Swamp Mahogany, Forest Red Gum, Scribbly Gum, and Grey Gum.