Philanthropists acquire nearly 4,000 hectares of NSW koala habitat for conservation

The 4,000 hectares bought by Andrew and Jane Clifford are estimated to be home to more than 100 vertebrate species including the koala. Photograph: all images copyright of Jamie Lamb/elusive-images.co.uk/Getty Images

Almost 4,000 hectares of koala habitat in the Hunter region of New South Wales will be protected after the land was privately acquired for conservation.

Sydney philanthropists Andrew and Jane Clifford bought the property north of Newcastle, which scientists from the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) estimate is habitat for more than 100 vertebrate species, including the endangered koala and 11 other animals listed as threatened.