Redland City Council is calling for driver care after another young male koala was found dead, hit by a car on Redland Bay Road, Capalaba last week.
The Redland Wildlife Rescue volunteers were called after a resident saw the koala lying on the road side.
It is the beginning of the most tragic time of the year on the roads for local koalas and other wildlife.
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During koala breeding season, from now until December, koalas are on the move with adults looking for mates and young koalas in search of their own home range.
Approximately 35 per cent of total koala deaths in the Redlands every year are attributed to car hits.
Council is urging residents to be especially aware of koalas and slow down when driving to reduce the number of koala fatalities this year, particularly on major roads, as these have high koala car hit incidents.
Experts say that one of the greatest tragedies of koala road mortality is that the victims are usually healthy breeding individuals.
Habitat loss leads to disease, and brings koalas into contact with cars and dogs, but there is a lot that residents and visitors can do to minimise these threats.
Drive carefully in areas where koalas may be trying to cross the road, particularly in areas with ‘koala warning signs’ and be aware of their movement even in key urban areas such as Cleveland CBD.
Koalas are most active between dusk and dawn so extra caution is needed during these times. They will also be seen moving around during the day and can be very active between 10-11am and 3-4pm.
Slow down on the roads, this will not only help save your life and others, but also the lives of precious local wildlife.
Scan the sides of the road for koalas when driving and watch for koala ‘eyeshine’ (reflections from an animal’s eyes) at night.
Call the Redlands 24 hour Wildlife Rescue Service if you see an injured koala on 3833 4031.
Getting immediate veterinary care for injured koalas can mean the difference between life and death.
If you see an injured koala while driving but can’t stop, check your odometer and record the distance to a known point so you can give wildlife carers a good indication of where the animal is.
If you do hit a koala please call for help, while it’s a horrible feeling, there is no penalty or fine for accidently hitting a koala while driving.
By reporting all injured or dead koalas to the Redland Wildlife Rescue you are helping to provide vital information to Council and the State Government to help save our koalas.
To learn more about how to protect our local koalas visit www.koalacentral.com.au or follow us on www.facebook.com/koalacentral.
All images are of the young male koala killed on Redland Bay Road, Capalaba last week.
