Residents urged to be alert for koalas on the move

Redlands Coast residents are urged to be on the lookout for koalas who are on the move looking for love.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said koalas were more active during the breeding season, which occurred between August and December.

“We share our naturally wonderful Redlands Coast with koalas so we need to watch out for them, particularly at this time of year when they are moving around looking for love,” she said.

“Blake and Benson, two well-known ambassador koalas, have a home range in a local koala safe neighborhood and are often found using trees alongside busy roads in the area.

“Benson was injured when he was struck by a car earlier this year, but he is now recovered.”

Cr Williams said residents needed to be alert to koalas both on roads and moving through their properties.

“There are a number of simple measures residents can take to ensure koalas can make their way safely through our urban areas,” she said.

“They should add pool and fence escapes to ensure yards are koala-friendly, and secure their pets at night and when out walking.

“Keep your distance if you see a koala, allowing it to move about freely unless the animal is in immediate danger.

“If you spot a sick or injured koala, call the Redlands 24-hour Wildlife Rescue Service on 3833 4031.”

Council’s Koala Conservation Program Project Officer Dr Cathryn Dexter said the most important action residents could take to help improve the health and wellbeing of the local koala population was to join Redlands Coast Koala Watch.

“Council and its research partners rely on the community to help keep track of local koalas by reporting all sightings, while they are going about their everyday outdoor activities,” Dr Dexter said.

“Koalas are mostly active at night but they will move around during the day if they are disturbed, too hot, too cold or simply to find a new feed tree.

“During breeding season you may notice koalas becoming more vocal.

“If you hear a variety of calls consisting of low-pitched bellows and grunts it is a positive sign that male koalas are communicating nearby.

“The information gathered through Koala Watch is used to develop koala conservation actions, help reduce the incidence of sick and injured koalas, and improve local koala mapping.”

For more information on koalas on Redlands Coast or Koala Watch, visit Council’s koala conservation website.