The countdown has begun to the annual Redlands’ koala count-a-thon survey weekend to be held 20 and 21 October.
Redland City Council, in partnership with the local Koala Action Group, encourages the community to participate in the thrill of koala spotting to provide valuable information for koala conservation.
The survey is an important event in our local calendar as it helps to provide critical information about the number, location and health of our local koalas.
Koala spotting is a fun activity that brings delight to people of all ages. Whether you turn this event into a fun weekend activity or you simply spot or hear a koala as part of your regular weekend routine, please report all koala activity.
The survey weekend is a rewarding way to help protect our local koalas and explore the great outdoors.
This year Council has developed a new digital survey tool available on our Koala Central Facebook page to support the initiative. It will provide easier access for residents to take part using their smart phones while out and about.
Koala Action Group president Debbie Pointing said October was an ideal time to conduct the survey to coincide with koala breeding season, when koalas were most active.
“Community participation is paramount to the success of the survey and participants will be asked for the exact location of the koala, its health status, the type of tree it is in (eucalypt or other) and whether they can identify the sex,” Ms Pointing said.
Successful koala spotting starts with learning more about a koala’s favourite type of eucalypt trees, by keeping an eye out for scratching on tree trunks and noticing droppings on the ground around tree bases.
Koala sightings between 20 and 21 October can be registered by:
Phone: 3820 1103 between 8am and 5pm daily.
Online: www.koalacentral.com.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/koalacentral
To learn more about how to spot a koala, how to identify koalas for reporting or how to get involved in the survey weekend visit www.koalacentral.com.au
