The quokka, dubbed the “happiest animal in the world”, is a marsupial native to Australia. Quokkas have gained much publicity in recent years due to celebrities and tourists posting selfies with these friendly and cute natured creatures. However, this species’ future does not look as cheerful as it does in selfies and we need to act now to save the quokkas.

The IUNC, a wildlife conservation database, has listed these animals as vulnerable to extinction. After a devastating wildfire that swept across southwest Australia in 2015, the quokka population saw a sharp decline and has not been able to rebound. According to a study in 2014 by Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIRO), quokkas have lost 50 percent of their habitat in the past 200 years. Quokkas depend on dense vegetation to defend against predators and with the drying climate taking that away, they are left as easy prey to invasive species such as foxes and feral cats. Urban expansion and the hunger for more tourism income have additionally threatened the species and forced them away from the mainland. The threats of tree clearing and global warming in conjunction with invasive predators could quickly wipe out the “happiest animal in the world”, and they need our help and protection to survive.

Scientists are working with animal conservation and environmental groups to combat the threats these animals are facing. The surviving quokkas are being tracked and studied to further pinpoint the causes of their decline and better ways to help. Other efforts to help these happy-go-lucky animals are donating to conservation organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and consciously making an effort to reduce greenhouse gases and waste. It does not need to be the end for quokkas if the right steps are taken to protect the species.