Did you know that South East Queensland has the highest concentration of koalas in the state?
by Luise Manning
President, Springfield Lakes Nature Care, Inc.
However, since February 2022 the status of the koala changed from vulnerable to endangered. Although this is not good news, the change in status does mean an increased level of protection across the state.
Successful koala conservation relies on a collaborative approach across all sectors, including wildlife spotting activities by members of the community.
Summer is the perfect time to spot koalas as it’s koala breeding season, and koalas are on the move.
During the warmer months, they begin searching for a mate and/or looking for new territory – especially as young koalas leave their mothers.
And as koalas are nocturnal animals, they move the most between dusk and dawn.
Having a good pair of binoculars is very helpful as it can be difficult to spot koalas high up in a tree.
Their grey fur tends to blend in well with the bark of the spotted gum trees, where they may rest during the day.
New QWildlife app
Individuals and communities can play a role in protecting local koalas with the touch of their fingertips.
The new QWildlife Koala Sighting app, designed by the Queensland Government, makes it easy for the public to report koala sightings while enjoying national parks, state forests, and bushlands.
Koala sightings data from the app will provide a better understanding about where koalas live and how they use their environment, and will help support important koala research, conservation, and management actions.
Users can upload information about a koala’s location as well as photos and observations about their appearance and condition.
Download the free QWildlife app, available for iOS and Android, today! Use it whenever you are out and about in Queensland’s national parks or conservation areas, or anywhere you see a koala in the bushland.
Koala safety tips
Even if you’re not into koala spotting, there’s still lots of things you can do to help protect our local koala population.
Because koalas have little awareness of how dangerous a busy road can be, driving carefully around bushland areas is important – especially between dusk and dawn when koalas are most active.
Slow down whenever you see a koala crossing sign near our roads.
Meanwhile, koalas can become caught in dangerous situations when they navigate backyards.
Unfortunately, dog and koala interactions usually result in koala injury and mortality, and backyards are the most common location for this to occur.
To avoid such situations:
– Keep your dog inside or contained at night;
– Train your dog in wildlife avoidance skills through the Leave It Program;
– Create koala-friendly fencing by adding a simple escape route, such as positioning a timber post at an angle against your fence;
– Avoid walking your dog in conservation reserves displaying “No Dogs Allowed” signs;
– Keep your dog on a lead in areas located near bushland, such as the Louise Clews Walk at Opossum Creek Parklands in Brookwater;
– Make your pool koala-safe by attaching a thick rope to a floating object or place an escape board for them to grab onto if they fall in;
– Let your neighbours know if a koala has been spotted in your area.
Finally, report all sightings of all sick, injured, and orphaned koalas in Queensland to 1300 264 625.
Thank you,
– Luise Manning
SLNC President
To find out more about SLNC’s events and opportunities to volunteer or be a member, visit facebook.com/SpringfieldLakesNatureCare or contact Luise Manning at info@springfieldlakesnaturecare.org.au.
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