Australian State Builds New Koala Sanctuary For Tens Of Millions Of Dollars

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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Australian officials are announcing a new project to protect one of the country's most famous natives.

The state of New South Wales has set aside more than 123,000 acres as a home for koala bears.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejikilian, who leads the Australian state's government, made the announcement at Taronga Zoo in Sydney.

The official strategy is aptly named the NSW Koala Strategy.

Authorities say they will line roads with fences to keep the koalas out of harm's way, establish an injury hotline, and build a koala hospital.

The initiative will be allotted $44.7 million over three years.

There are about 36,000 wild koalas in New South Wales.