Help save koalas

Keep dogs on leads

Dogs can seriously harm koalas:

• Keep dogs on leads in areas where there are koalas. Be aware that koalas spend more time moving between trees on the ground during mating season (generally September to February).
• You can work with local interest groups to investigate fencing recreation areas for dogs or consider establishing dog-free properties in koala population areas.
• Report stray or roaming dogs to council rangers.

Help sick and injured koalas

If you see a sick or injured koala, you should contact a licensed rehabilitation group or call the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water on 131 555. Have these numbers ready in your car or wallet or saved in your mobile phone contacts.

The NSW National Wildlife Council can help you locate a licensed wildlife carer. You can also call the WIRES Rescue Line on 1300 094 737.

Signs of a sick koala can include infected or inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis), a wet and dirty bottom (cystitis) and sitting at the base of a tree for an extended period of time.

When a koala is on the ground injured or sitting at the base of a tree for an extended period of time:

• if it is safe to do so, approach the koala from behind and place a washing basket (or similar item with ventilation) over the koala
• put something heavy on top of the basket to stop the koala moving away and climbing a tree
• ensure the koala is left in a quiet and stress free environment
• call a local wildlife rescue group or vet as soon as possible
• do not try to move the koala other than out of danger, as relocating the koala to a new area can sometimes do more harm than good.

If a koala is stuck in a fence:

• do not attempt to help the koala
• provide some shade for the koala if it is in the sun
• call a local wildlife rescue group or vet as soon as possible.

Plant trees

Your local council may be planting trees that will support koala communities by restoring corridors through a Landcare group.

Koalas prefer particular feed trees in different parts of New South Wales. Therefore, it is important to remember to use locally sourced koala feed tree stock and to plant near existing koala habitat with a permanent water source.

It is not suitable to plant koala food trees on your property if it is not near other koala habitat, in a fenced area with a dog, close to powerlines or next to a busy road.

Find koala food trees suitable for your region.

Drive carefully

Collision with cars is a common cause of koala injuries.

When driving, stick to speed limits, be vigilant near koala crossings and be aware of sign posts warning that koalas are in the area.

The successful rehabilitation rate of koalas back into the wild is low. Licensed wildlife rescue organisations reported that 53% of koalas taken into care in 2013–14 died of their injuries or required euthanasia.

If you see 'floppy fences' (fences with a curved top) protecting a koala community from the road with a hole in it or branches touching the fence, report this to Transport for NSW on 13 22 13.

Report a koala sighting

Many council areas have a local number you can call if you see a koala in the wild. This information helps decision makers to understand where koalas are. Keep an eye out for road signs listing phone numbers or call your local council.

You can also record your koala sighting on the BioNet Atlas.