The survival of Redcliffe’s fragile koala population hangs in the balance. Rescuers reveal that multiple koalas are dying each week due to habitat loss and animal attacks, highlighting the urgent need for community and government intervention.
Rescue and Release
Local volunteers, like Tash Barker and Therese Hollan, dedicate their time to rescuing and rehabilitating injured koalas. One recent success story involved a seven-year-old koala, known to locals as Blinky and to rescuers as Coolio. After three months of treatment at Moggill Koala Rehabilitation Centre, the koala returned to his Kippa-Ring habitat. The koala had suffered severe injuries from a dog attack.
According to the volunteers, moments of successful releases provide motivation, despite the frequent and disheartening losses. Barker, a member of Pine Rivers Koala Care, expressed the emotional strain of witnessing multiple koala deaths in a short period. Hollan, a volunteer with Redcliffe Environmental Forum (REF), stated that the return of Coolio was a moment of joy that balanced the frequent losses the volunteers experience.
Habitat and Population Concerns
The koala population in Redcliffe faces significant challenges due to fragmented habitats, primarily caused by the railway corridor. Hollan explained that the corridor has divided the koala population, resulting in approximately 50 koalas south of the railway and only 12 in the northern areas, including Silcock Reserve and the Redcliffe Golf Course at Clontarf. The low numbers in the northern population are particularly concerning, as roads surround them and face threats from dogs.
Hollan, who attended a meeting with Moreton Bay City Council and the Department of Environment Tourism and Science (DETSI) in August, raised concerns about the genetic diversity of the remaining koala populations. She emphasised that while the southern population number seems reasonable, its long-term survival is not guaranteed without understanding its genetic health. Hollan explained that they are seeking a grant to fund university research into the genetic diversity of the koalas to determine the necessary steps for population preservation.
Call for Community and Government Action
Both Barker and Hollan advocate for a more coordinated approach to koala preservation, involving volunteer organisations, the State Government, and the local council. They urge residents to take responsibility for protecting the marsupials by driving slowly in koala habitats, keeping dogs contained at night, and participating in bush care groups. Hollan stated that many Australians have never seen a koala in the wild, emphasising their unique value.
She stressed that every koala is essential due to the numerous threats to their survival. Barker explained that her journey into koala care started because she frequently found injured wildlife and wanted to ensure they received proper care. She grew up with koalas and wants to protect them. The volunteers would like to see more warning signs placed in areas with koala populations.
Published Date 11-March-2025
