faq page

What to do if you see an injured, sick or dead koala.

Report all koala casualties to the Koala Emergency number (07) 32991032 (24hrs) or 1300ANIMAL

Give precise location of the koala and a contact number when calling the rescue service.

If the koala is injured on the road:

Try to move the koala off the road as quickly as possible remembering to put your own safety first. It is a good idea to keep an old blanket and a cardboard box in the boot of your car along with the 24 hour wildlife ambulance number which is (07) 3299 1032 or 1300ANIMAL.
Once the koala is contained, do not attempt to handle it further as it may suddenly recover and may inflict serious injuries. Note: Even young koalas can bite or scratch. Allow the koala to calm down by keeping people, pets and noise well away from it. Injured animals need rest in a dark, warm, quiet spot.

If the koala is dead:

Check if the koala is a female with a baby in her pouch, as the baby can often be saved.
A baby is best left in the pouch. If the baby is outside the pouch it should be wrapped up for warmth whilst awaiting the rescue service.
If it is certain there is no baby present, leave the koala at roadside in a visible place (with a ribbon or similar attached to indicate it has been checked) and report next day.

This allows motorists to become aware of koala black spots and may help to save other koalas from the same fate.

How Does Development Affect Koalas?

An example of a 'koala sensitive' housing development -

Location: Ney Road Capalaba, Koala Park Estate

Area: 69 hectare bushland site

25% of the land was developed in a koala sensitive manner (large lots)
25% of the land was kept for conservation (This is better than the average housing estate - only 10% is required to be set aside as public land.)

Koala Research: the koalas were monitored by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) scientists prior to, during and after development.

QPWS Research Revealed…

1995 - Prior To Development	2004 - Post Development
70 koalas on site	15 koalas on site
5% with clinical signs of disease	25% with clinical signs of disease
90% of females with young	Less than 30% of females with young

Where did the koalas go?

38% of the koalas left the area in the early stages of clearing.
Around half of these koalas were killed by cars and dogs while on the move.
The small population remaining on site are now faced with a smaller gene pool and the possibility of inbreeding.

This research proves without doubt that development, including 'koala sensitive' estates, has a devastating impact on koala populations in the short and long term.

"I Used To See Koalas All The Time … …but not as many in recent years".

Research has proven Redland's urban koalas are in rapid decline, resulting in their listing as a 'vulnerable' species in this region. Habitat loss is the biggest threat to our koalas. For tree protection advice call 07 3829 8704 or click on Tree Protection