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Cross Country © Andrew Seymore
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BIG Challenge: Our Koalas - Clinging on for dear life
Help our Koalas fight back. You can make a difference by becoming more aware and contributing to the collective knowledge on Koala populations.
Koala paws - Image courtesy Lisa Maree Williams/Australian Wildlife HospitalThrough habitat destruction and disease, our iconic national symbol for both Australia and Queensland is seriously under threat. The challenge is to find ways in which to help the local koala population fight back.
Through better understanding of koala population health and habits we can start to inform land managers and policy makers, where they in turn can develop better strategies to protect our national icon.
“More than 25,000 Koalas have died in South East Queensland in the past Decade” The Australian Koala Foundation.
Koala - courtesy Lisa Maree Williams/Australian Wildlife HospitalPopulation Decline - The Causes
The rapid decline in Koala populations can be mapped directly against our own rapid population growth over the same time period. As we clear land, move in and go about our daily lives, the local Koalas are put at significant risk. More specifically:
- Habitat clearing from an increase in the human population over time has put the koalas under stress, and as a consequence disease has become widespread.
- Chronic diseases as Koala Chlamydiosis and the Koala Retrovirus cause the koalas a great deal of pain and suffering, and many then become susceptible to infertility.
- Injuries have also had a staggering impact, with vehicle strikes and dog attacks causing most harm to our koalas.
- Not as well known are swimming pool deaths, many of the Koalas go looking for water on a hot day and fall into local pools and drown.
As a result of these declines we are at serious risk of permanently losing the opportunity to see Koalas in the wild. Do you feel it is appropriate to leave this sort of legacy for the next generation?
Koala scratches - courtesy Australian Wildlife Hospital
Koala scats (pellets) - courtesy Australian Wildlife HospitalEvidence of Koalas in Your Region
Have a look at the trees around you, do they show evidence of scratch marks?
You can also learn to recognise Koala scats (also commonly referred to as pellets or droppings)
These simple signs are important as they then remind you to keep a look out whilst walking and more importantly whilst driving.
Hinterland Koalas
Often the media and campaigners focus on high profile areas such as the Noosa National Park. Whilst national parks are important, equally important are wild populations in our hinterland regions like Cooroy, Pomona, Kin Kin and Eumundi.Studies have shown that koala populations have reduced by 64% in the past three years. If this trend continues koalas could become extinct in the wild in South East Queensland.
Koala - courtesy Australian Wildlife HospitalWhat Can Be Done?
What YOU can do
Please drive carefully in areas where koalas occur (koala road signs indicate “hot spots”) also please restrain dogs, particularly at night and through the breeding season (July through to the summer months) when koalas are more active.
You can also start to pay attention regarding the native habitat in your region and start to ask polite and responsible questions regarding any land clearing activities you become aware of.Report Koala Sightings Online at Koala Diaries
You can help save the koala by reporting the location of koalas sighted in the wild. Go to the Koala Diaries website for their national online koala sighting survey.
Koala - courtesy Australian Wildlife HospitalSick or Injured Koalas
If you see a sick or injured koala, please call:
- Australian Wildlife Hospital: 1300 369 652 or 5436 2097
- Wildcare Australia: 5527 2444
Those wishing to become actively involved can donate or volunteer their time with local organisations, such as;
- Australian Koala Foundation, contact Deborah Tabart, CEO
phone: 3229 7233 - Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors’ Australian Wildlife Hospital, contact Gail Gipp, GM
phone: 5436 2097 - Wildcare Australia, contact Karen Scott, President
phone: 5527 2444
Businesses are also urged to show their support by offering vital financial or in-kind donations.
Who's doing something about it?
Groups & Initiatives tackling the problem.
Wildlife Preservation Society of Qld
Faunawatch
FaunaWatch is a community-based program run by Wildlife Queensland’s Sunshine Coast Branch.
Do you look out for wildlife when you’re out and about? If so, become a FaunaWatch observer and tell us what you see.
Koala Diaries
Informative website run by locals who are passionate about Koalas in our region, includes a full GIS koala mapping capability.
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors’ Australian Wildlife Hospital
The Australian Wildlife Hospital treats approximately 800 sick, injured and orphaned koalas each year. The hospital’s research scientists are at the forefront of koala disease research.
Australian Koala Foundation
The Australian Koala Foundation is solely dedicated to the conservation and effective management of the wild koala and it habitat. By fostering a koala at Dreamworld, you can support the AKF’s strategic koala habitat research, conservation and education projects.
The Noosa Journal
The Noosa Journal reports local koala news, views and conservation developments to keep you up to date.
Wildcare Australia
Wildcare Australia is a voluntary organisation that relies on community support to operate a wildlife emergency telephone service and to provide financial assistance to its volunteer wildlife carers. They also offer accredited koala rescuer/carer courses.
Noosa Koala Sqaud
Volunteer your time to help out the koalas by protecting their habitat. -
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