Australian animals called koalas could disappear from New South Wales state by 2050, unless the state government immediately acts to protect them. That is the finding of a year-long state parliament investigation of the marsupials. Marsupials are mammals with an unusual system of reproduction. Most, including koalas, are born when they are just embryos. The little koala then takes shelter for months in a pouch on its mother’s body. Newborns, called joeys, stay in the safe, warm place for months, while they continue to develop. Koalas are among Australia’s most beloved animals. Lawmakers in the New South Wales’ upper house of Parliament released the report on Tuesday. It said land clearing for agriculture, urban development, mining, and forestry are threatening the koalas’ survival.