Koalas

• There are more than 2,000 koalas in our region.
• Our koala population is one of the largest in NSW.
• The main threats to koalas in our region are loss of habitat, road strikes and dog attacks.
• Our joint initiatives are setting an example for koala conservation across Australia. 

We are working with all levels of government to protect our koalas and maintain the biodiversity of our region.  Our Koala Recovery Strategy(PDF, 3MB) and Koala Plans of Management aim to ensure the growth of our region is balanced with the protection of the koalas in our area.

Unfortunately, koalas are expected to be extinct by 2050 unless we act to preserve their lives now. One of the biggest threats to our koala population is vehicle road strikes. In 2020, there were 41 reported road strikes in our region involving a koala, and of those 41 strikes, 33 incidents resulted in the death of the koala. 

By changing our behaviours on the road, we can reduce these numbers and trauma for our wildlife, and our community. 

Make sure to slow down when we see signs that tell us wildlife are out and about in the area. You can help by making these small changes:

• Look for road signs and take notice of speed limits
• Slow down in koala zones
• Take extra care at dawn and dusk
• Remember that when you’re on the road, you are in charge of protecting every life. 

We are inviting local residents and tourists to take the pledge to ‘Drive with Care Be Koala Aware’ in an effort to raise awareness of this issue and improve safety on our roads for all, including our koalas. Head to our ConnectEd website to learn more and take the pledge!  

If you see a koala in danger, injured or distressed, contact the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital Rescue Hotline on 6584 1522 (24 hour phone number).

Would you know the signs of a sick or injured koala? Below is a useful koala checklist for you to help our furry friends if you see them in trouble.

Signs a koala may be sick or injured can include:

• red, inflamed or crusty eyes
• very dirty, wet or brown bottom
• signs of injury such as cuts, blood or fur loss
• very skinny
• not using all four limbs when climbing or walking
• sitting at the base of a tree or in the same tree for several days

I spy koala is a citizen science app that allows anyone in NSW to record wild koala sightings. This data is crucial in helping us better understand and protect koalas across NSW and may assist in land use planning, mitigation for roadstrike and assessing impacts to koalas and their habitat. The data is uploaded to NSW Bionet Atlas from the APP.