Koala observations triple one year after tree planting

Koala monitoring on a property where more than 11,300 trees have been planted has shown unexpected growth in koala observations in just one year.

The trees and shrubs were planted on the site beside the Moorabool River, Victoria, by Koala Clancy Foundation and IFAW in 2023 and 2024.

The region was once some of the best koala habitat in Victoria but was cleared for farming years ago-leaving koalas with 20% of what they used to have. This is compounded by climate change, which is pushing koalas further south across the state as they try to escape the heat and dryness. These trees were the first step in encouraging koalas back to the area.

After each planting, audio recorders were set up across the property to monitor the koala population.

Monitoring koalas by audio recorders is a widely used, and non-invasive method that records adult males calling in breeding season. Female koalas do vocalise too, but less often.

Not many koalas were expected to be heard in the first year, while the trees were still small. However, Koala Clancy Foundation president Janine Duffy was thrilled four koala calls were recorded-showing the site had great potential.

"We were blown away to hear that koala calls had tripled in the second year of monitoring," Ms Duffy said.

"We really hoped to find an increase in koalas using the property as a result of our revegetation, but we expected it would take more than just one year."

The recordings captured the sounds of several males on the property, and even a male and a female mating.

IFAW Oceania head of programs Josey Sharrad said the project was an important one, and one close to her heart.

"Koalas across Australia are disappearing as their homes are cleared, so hearing their calls return to this landscape after just a few years is incredibly powerful," Ms Sharrad said.

"These trees are still young, yet koalas are already using the site. It shows just how desperately koalas need safe habitat, and how quickly they will respond when we give it back to them."

"This project proves that restoration works. Knowing that something we planted with our own hands is already helping koalas survive fills me with hope for their future."

ENDS

Press contact:
Dominica Mack
[email protected]
0460 432 901

About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) - IFAW is a global non-profit helping animals and people thrive together. We are experts and everyday people, working across seas, oceans and in more than 40 countries around the world. We rescue, rehabilitate and release animals, and we restore and protect their natural habitats. The problems we're up against are urgent and complicated. To solve them, we match fresh thinking with bold action. We partner with local communities, governments, non-governmental organisations and businesses. Together, we pioneer new and innovative ways to help all species flourish. See how at ifaw.org

IFAW acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country and their connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.

About Koala Clancy Foundation: Koala Clancy Foundation plants trees for koalas, creates new habitat, educates the local and wider community, supports scientific research and advocates for protection of wild koalas and their forest habitats. To date the organisation has planted 185,397 koala trees & shrubs beside rivers on Melbourne's Western Plains and in East Gippsland, Victoria and is on track to plant 300,000 koala trees on the Western Plains by 2030.Koala Clancy Foundation is an independent registered charity and not-for-profit organisation based in Staughton Vale, near Geelong, Victoria. https://www.koalaclancyfoundation.org.au/about-us