Caring for Inverell’s Koalas
Raising awareness of the local Koala population in the Inverell district and what we can do to protect and restore habitat, and how to help sick or injured animals.
Capacity building - LEP23-024-03
The issue
Koalas in the Inverell district face significant challenges, including habitat loss, vehicle strikes, illness, and injury. Despite these threats, a thriving local koala population exists, though many residents remain unaware of their presence. Protecting and caring for these iconic animals is vital, and we must work together to ensure their survival.
The solution
As part of the Koala Habitat Restoration Project, two practical workshops were held: “Care for Inverell’s Koalas” and “Native Seed Propagation.” Funded by Northern Tablelands Local Land Services, these workshops aimed to empower Inverell residents with practical knowledge and tools to support koala conservation.
The “Care for Inverell’s Koalas” workshop provided actionable steps for identifying and assisting injured or sick koalas, while “Native Seed Propagation” taught participants how to grow essential koala food and habitat trees. By equipping the community with these skills, the project fostered proactive efforts to protect and restore habitat, ensuring the survival of this iconic species
The impact
Two workshops drew 34 attendees, focusing on Inverell’s koala population.
Care for Koalas participants learned how to identify signs of sick or injured koalas, steps to take when encountering one, and insights from a presentation on local koala population surveys. Many were unaware of the process in reporting an injured animal and came away with a thorough knowledge on the process a Koala and its carers go through when going to hospital.
The Native Seed Propagation workshop centered on food and habitat trees crucial for Inverell's koalas. Guided by a propagation expert with 40 years of experience, attendees explored techniques for successful propagation, gaining practical tips and avoiding common pitfalls. Engaging discussions highlighted the significance of farm plantings and linking habitat areas to support local biodiversity and enhance koala conservation efforts. Participants received several tube stock Koala Food trees to take home and many reported they were going home armed with confidence to grow their own trees from local seed they could collect.
Learnings
-Community awareness is key
Raising awareness is a crucial step in fostering conservation efforts.
-Practical knowledge powers action
Workshops guided participants in identifying sick or injured koalas and effective steps to support them. Showing people the correct way to propagate natives will enhance the environment without the need for extensive funding.
-Restoring and protecting habitat is vital
Linking habitat areas through strategic plantings was identified as critical in enhancing biodiversity and connectivity
Key facts
- In the last 12 months Inverell has had:
- -6 orphaned Joey’s (it costs $10 000 to raise an orphaned Joey)
- -64 Rescues requiring transport to hospital at either Lismore or Port Macquarie
- -20 deaths from vehicle strike, attack and sickness
- -15 returned from hospital and released