koala Archives - Mount Gravatt News

Koala Found Clinging to Mt Gravatt Road Sign Amid Habitat Crisis

Photo Credit: Save the Koalas and Wallabies of White's Hill

A koala was found clinging to a road sign in Mt Gravatt, highlighting the growing problem of koala displacement due to habitat destruction in the Brisbane suburb.

Increasing Habitat Loss in Mt Gravatt

The incident occurred in early October, with rescuers responding to the koala’s precarious situation near a major road and industrial estate. Habitat destruction, caused by urban development and the removal of trees, is forcing koalas out of their natural environments, putting them in danger as they wander through suburban areas.

John Knights, a local wildlife rescuer, described how urban sprawl in areas like Mt Gravatt is creating a “reverse domino effect.” As homes are built and backyards are cleared, the trees that koalas and other species rely on for survival are disappearing. This leads to more koalas becoming displaced, wandering into urban spaces where they face risks from traffic and human activity.

Suburban Development and Koala Displacement

The problem is exacerbated by suburban developments where large backyards that once housed trees are being bulldozed for new housing projects. Knights emphasised that every time a tree is cut down, koalas lose another piece of their already fragmented habitat. The result is that koalas, often described as “urban” by locals, are not adapting to city life but are instead lost and frightened.

Koalas are seen as an indicator of a healthy ecosystem, and their displacement signifies larger issues for the entire environment, from birds and possums to the insects and microbes that thrive beneath the trees. According to wildlife advocates, if koalas can no longer find sufficient habitat, other species will also suffer.

Growing Threats and Inadequate Protections

The crisis has intensified as development continues unchecked, with local laws proving ineffective in safeguarding endangered species. Habitat destruction continues despite government claims of “the strongest koala protections,” with loopholes allowing tree removal in areas critical for wildlife.

Queensland is also under scrutiny for building major infrastructure, such as the Coomera Connector freeway, through koala habitats. This has led to fears that urban koalas in places like the Gold Coast may face extinction.

What the Community Can Do

Local wildlife organisations, such as Save the Koalas and Wallabies of White’s Hill, have urged the public to take action by planting native trees and pushing local representatives to strengthen koala protection laws. They highlight that preserving mature trees and increasing awareness are critical steps in addressing the problem.

The group also encouraged residents to report any koalas in danger, pointing out that immediate action can save lives. Community members are encouraged to be vigilant, particularly as more koalas are expected to be displaced during spring, when they search for mates or new territory.

In the meantime, as more trees are removed, the outlook for koalas in areas like Mt Gravatt remains dire, with more frequent rescues needed to save these iconic animals from harm.

Published 25-Oct-2024

Koala Thrives After Dramatic Rescue from Dog Attack in Mt Gravatt

Trent, a young male koala, is back in his natural habitat and doing well after surviving a harrowing dog attack in Mt Gravatt and subsequent rescue operation that captured the attention of local wildlife enthusiasts.

The incident, which occurred in late September during the koala breeding season, has illuminated the challenges urban wildlife face and community members’ dedication to protecting them.

A Close Call

John Knights, a veteran koala rescuer with over a decade of experience, recounted the events that led to Trent’s rescue. He explained that a local woman heard aggressive barking coming from a neighbour’s yard and rushed over to find a large dog attacking the koala.

In a display of quick thinking and bravery, the Mt Gravatt resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, intervened. She managed to separate Trent from the dog, risking injury to herself in the process.

Mr Knights noted that it was an incredibly dangerous situation, as both the dog and the koala could have seriously harmed her, but she acted on instinct to save Trent’s life.

The rescue, however, was far from over. After being freed from the dog’s grasp, Trent, still in shock, managed to climb a tall tree nearby. This presented a new challenge for the rescuers.

A Delicate Operation

Murray Chambers, an expert tree climber with Koala Rescue Queensland, was called in to retrieve Trent. He explained that the situation was complicated by the presence of power lines near the tree, forcing them to wait until the following morning to attempt the rescue safely.

Mr Chambers, who has been climbing trees to rescue koalas for 20 years, carefully ascended the tree and successfully captured Trent in a net. The koala was transported to the RSPCA Wildlife Hospital in Wacol for urgent medical attention.

Koala Trent, dog attack in Mt Gravatt — Trent the Koala is recovering following a dog attack in Mt Gravatt
Photo Credit: Save the Koalas and Wallabies of Whites Hill/Facebook

Road to Recovery

At the hospital, veterinarian Dr Tim Portas assessed Trent’s condition. He found that Trent had superficial wounds to his chin, some chest trauma, and mild abdominal bleeding. Given the nature of dog attacks, Dr Portas was initially quite concerned about internal injuries.

However, Trent proved to be a fighter. Despite the odds, Trent’s condition improved rapidly. Dr Portas noted that less than a quarter of koalas survive such attacks. After four nights of intensive care and monitoring, Trent was deemed fit for release.

Dr Portas described the koala’s recovery as nothing short of miraculous, attributing it to the animal’s resilience and the quality of care he received.

A Triumphant Return

Knights was given the honour of returning Trent to his natural habitat. He chose a secluded spot several metres off the track in the Mt Gravatt Outlook Reserve, explaining that they wanted to give Trent the best possible chance at readjusting to life in the wild.

The release was a moment of celebration for all involved. As Trent bounded up a tree, disappearing into the canopy, there was a palpable sense of achievement among the rescuers and onlookers.

Community Response

The incident has sparked important conversations about wildlife conservation in Brisbane’s urban areas. Sophia Windsor, a local resident who witnessed part of the rescue operation, expressed amazement at the community’s response, noting how it demonstrated the value placed on native wildlife.

Save the Koalas and Wallabies of White’s Hill, a local conservation group, has used Trent’s story to highlight the importance of responsible pet ownership in koala habitats. The group has issued guidelines for residents, including keeping dogs indoors at night or confined to specific areas of the yard.

A spokesperson for the group explained that simple measures like leaning a pole against the fence can provide an escape route for koalas. They also reminded dog owners of the new $806 fine for off-leash dogs in public areas, emphasising the seriousness with which authorities are treating wildlife protection.

Broader Implications

Dr Bill Ellis, an expert in koala ecology from the University of Queensland, stressed the need for more comprehensive conservation efforts. He pointed to initiatives like wildlife bridges and corridors in urban areas as steps in the right direction but cautioned that more needs to be done.

Recent statistics paint a concerning picture. In the last six years, over 5,000 diseased and injured koalas have been treated in South East Queensland, with a 66% euthanasia rate. Furthermore, significant habitat loss continues, with 320,000 hectares of woody vegetation cleared in Queensland during the 2021-22 financial year.

As Brisbane grows and progresses, especially with the 2032 Olympics approaching, it becomes more and more important to balance urban growth with wildlife preservation. Trent’s experience serves as a reminder of the significance of this issue and the impact that community involvement can have in safeguarding Australia’s treasured wildlife.

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Published 1-Oct-2024

Koala’s Nighttime Adventure in Upper Mt Gravatt Captivates Southside Brisbane

Photo Unsplash

Residents of Upper Mt Gravatt witnessed an unusual spectacle when a koala was spotted making its way across a busy road late at night.

The incident showed the marsupial deftly dodging traffic and then climbing a refuge island sign, much to the amazement of onlookers.

Tuan Nguyen, the owner of Alice Viet restaurant in Upper Mt Gravatt, was returning home from work when he witnessed the surprising sight.

“After work, we went home, I think very late, when we saw it crossing the road. It then climbed on a sign pole,” Mr Nguyen recalled.

Upper Mt Gravatt Koala — Photo Credit: Tuan Nguyen

This encounter marked a rare instance of wildlife venturing into urban settings, particularly in such a public and potentially hazardous environment.

The incident prompted calls to a local koala rescue group, who advised leaving the animal alone as it appeared unharmed. The next morning, the koala had moved on, indicating it possibly found its way back to its natural habitat.

This occurrence highlights the growing presence of koalas in the region, particularly around Whites Hill Nature Reserve and Toohey Forest.

In response to the increased sightings and the dangers posed by traffic, the State Government has erected a koala-proof fence along the M1 adjacent to Toohey Forest. Additionally, there are ongoing campaigns advocating for reduced speed limits on roads like Boundary Rd that cut through key koala habitats.

Published 8-Dec-2023

Griffith University Secures Funding to Expand AI Koala Tracking System

Researchers at Griffith University in Mt Gravatt have received continued funding for their AI-powered ‘facial recognition’ camera system to monitor koala crossings in South East Queensland.

Read: Griffith University Housing Complex Ditched Despite $2-Million Preparatory Construction

The project, now in its third year, uses cameras with artificial intelligence software to identify individual koalas using wildlife crossings. The data provides insights into koala movement to support conservation efforts for the vulnerable species.

Led by Professor Jun Zhou from Griffith’s School of Information and Communication Technology, the project recently received a $100,000 grant from the Queensland Government’s Department of Environment and Science. This follows previous funding of $90,000 in 2021 and $100,000 last June.

“This project extends our innovative AI-powered koala monitoring system to cover wider areas of koala habitat in South East Queensland, and engage with 14 local community groups across 10 local government areas to facilitate the installation and maintenance of the camera network,” Professor Zhou said.

Since 2021, the team has set up cameras at 24 locations in Redland City. The AI analyses the footage to recognise individual koalas and track their crossing activity.

Frank Mikula from Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary said the technology is valuable for koala conservation.

“We’re all about sharing information and it’s really good to be able to put people in contact and create that conduit between researchers so that everyone can get to the same goal faster,” Mikula said.

“The technology does the heavy lifting for us, and that’s really important moving forward.

“With increased knowledge about how koalas are crossing roads, we can better inform mitigation and management so that we can ensure a better long-term future for koalas.”

Read: Zarraffa’s Coffee Opens Drive-through location in Mt Gravatt

The project engages with 14 community groups across 10 local council areas. The aim is to facilitate data-driven planning to protect declining koala populations in the region.

Published 28-September-2023