Compelling love stories are being played out in the suburbs and bush of the Redlands as koala breeding season begins early this year.
With koalas on the move throughout the City as they look for mates, IndigiScape’s Ben McMullen has urged the community to help ensure these love stories don’t have tragic endings.
“Breeding season usually doesn’t begin until August but it appears to be early this year, with wildlife officers and volunteers reporting unusually high numbers of koalas on the move for this time of year, as well as injuries, as they search for mates’’ Mr McMullen, Redland City Council’s Senior Manager Environment and Education, said.
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“Young koalas are also looking for new homes, so we need to rally as a community to help ensure their safety by taking extra care on the roads and ensuring our yards are koala friendly and that dogs are kept inside or restrained at night.’’
Mr McMullen said that far too often koala love stories were needlessly ending in tragedy.
“It was distressing last year when the baby of Demelza (pictured), a popular regular at Cleveland’s Kooringa Bushcare site, was the unfortunate victim of a dog attack,’’ he said.
“It really brought home how vital it is for Redlands’ dog owners to ensure their pets can’t get to koalas that may venture into their yards as they looked for a mate and why we should slow down on the roads at night.
“It’s not only the adults that we need to look out for but the youngsters as well, with last year’s young leaving their maternal home range to find one of their own.
“In their travels they surprise many a resident by appearing in unexpected places as they search for somewhere to call home. The Cleveland area is home to a surprising number of koalas, some of which are often seen in the CBD at this time of year.’’
Mr McMullen said residents should call the Redlands Wildlife Rescue Service if concerned about a koala’s safety or health.
“Residents should allow healthy koalas to continue on their own accord as sometimes our attempts to help can create confusion and instead lead them into unexpected danger,” he said.
“The service offers around-the-clock assistance and can be contacted on 3833 4031.
“To further assist in koala conservation you can also join your local Bushcare group or one of our habitat protection programs coordinated from Council’s IndigiScapes environmental centre.’’
For more information or to chat to a wildlife extension officer contact IndigiScapes on 3824 8611.
