As we brace for an , spare a thought for koalas. They will be in the searing heat.
Author
Edward Narayan
Senior Lecturer in Animal Science, The University of Queensland
Mother koalas with pouch young are especially vulnerable. Many will be killed or injured on our roads as they attempt to cross. Sometimes joeys are orphaned in the process, but even if they make it to one of Australia’s rehabilitation centres these such as potential donors and media.
Hot and dry conditions make gum tree leaves less nutritious, so koalas tend to . Some diseases can also damage their kidneys, making them drink more.
As habitat loss pushes koalas , people frequently encounter these wild animals on roads, in parks and sometimes even in their backyards. So it’s worth knowing how to help keep koalas healthy and what to do if you encounter a koala in distress.
What to do if you encounter a sick or injured koala
Put clean water out in a shallow bowl such as an ice-cream container at the base of a gum tree. Thirsty koalas will using their tongue. because koalas can choke if their heads are tilted back while drinking.
Avoid any interaction with wild koalas. to veterinarians, wildlife officers, researchers with permits, and licensed rehabilitators. Koalas have strong arms, sharp claws and . They also find the presence of humans very stressful.
If you find a koala on the ground and it lets you approach, there must be a problem. Call your local koala rescue group. The name of the organisation will vary depending on your location. If you don’t know where to begin, Google “wildlife rescue near me”. Dial the number and follow the instructions from the koala rescue team. Do not try to touch, handle or pick up the koala. Also discourage other people from gathering to look on, as it can do more harm. Distressed koalas produce the stress hormone cortisol, which can raise blood pressure, increase heart rate variability and make recovery and rehabilitation more challenging.
Keep dogs on a leash when you are out and attend to any barking at home. . Ensure the dog will come to you when called. Reward good behaviour.
Koalas can end up in suburban backyards with or without food trees. You might like to install an “escape pole” such as timber log placed vertically against the fence in your yard. Follow these handy .
so koalas are less likely to fall in and drown. Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organisation, WIRES, suggests so animals can climb out. A length of heavy-duty rope or even a bodyboard, secured at one end to something heavy outside the pool, works well because it does not absorb water and provides a platform for an exhausted animal to rest on. You can also place bricks or large stones to the side of each step, to make it easier for animals to gain a foothold and climb out.
Understanding stress in koalas
Koalas are well adapted to life in Australian forests. They have insulating fur and an ability to adjust body posture when exposed to environmental challenges – such as rolling up in a ball in high wind and covering their ears. They can stay in the trees even in very windy conditions.
If you wander into the bush at night during – from spring through to autumn – you may hear the deafening trying to attract females.
Breeding season is a stressful time for wild koalas because there is so much activity involved, including energy expended in the search for mate.
Koalas generally . Mum and joeys usually stay together in the treetops. Adult males , sometimes with different females.
The diseases chlamydia and koala retrovirus are to koalas’ survival. is a bacteria found in many species of bird and mammals worldwide. is thought to cause koala immune deficiency syndrome (KIDS), an AIDS-like immunodeficiency that leaves infected koalas more susceptible to infectious disease and cancers.
A lack of appropriate food trees is another source of stress, because koalas rely on fresh gum leaves to .
Be a friend to koalas
Habitat loss, bushfire, drought, heat and pressure to find a mate mean koalas are frequently on the move. Here’s how to help keep them safe and well:
watch out for and slow down
put local koala wildlife rescue group contact numbers in your phone so you know whom to call in an emergency
report urban koala sightings to your local rescue group – it’s likely to indicate an ongoing problem. Well-informed koala rescue groups can better manage the situation and put appropriate action plans in place
ask your council about programs available for koalas in your local area and volunteer for food tree planting days and other activities
support local koala hospitals and donate if you can
share this article with family and friends.
Edward Narayan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
