Council
10 January, 2025
Koala population success
A two year koala health project has come to an end on December 31, revealing crucial insights into the koala population in the Somerset region.
The Koala Health and Rehabilitation Esk Somerset Project (KHaRES), led by local conservation group Care4esK, indicated positive outlooks for the local population, with slightly more females than males being identified and a higher level of genetic diversity.
This genetic diversity indicates a healthy population, showing sufficient breeding between Koalas in different localities, minimising any negative effects of inbreeding.
Outcomes included, 870 hectares of land surveyed, 128 Koalas detected, 171 Koala scats collected, 513 mixed Eucalypt species planted and approximately 10ha of weed species treated.
Although the Chlamydia pathogen was detected in approximately 40 per cent of samples, this statistic can be viewed as more of a risk for the prevalence of Chlamydia, rather than the Koala being symptomatic.
“The KHaRES project achieved wonderful outcomes, and delivered far greater amounts of valuable data than we could have imagined,” Care4esK president Darren Bate said.
“These results are encouraging and highlight the importance of Somerset Koalas.
“Disease management, alongside habitat protection and enhancement to facilitate population connectivity, will be critical for Koala Conservation in the Somerset Region.”
In a first for a community led initiative in the Somerset region, First Nations’ representatives from Jagera, Dungibara and Jinibara language groups were welcomed as Cultural Heritage advisors during the surveys.
The KHaRES Project received funding from the Commonwealth Government. It was designed and led by Care4esK, in collaboration with Australian Earth Laws Alliance and the Detection Dogs for Conservation, in partnership with the Somerset Regional Council.
Council unveiled a plaque in recognition of Care4esK’s efforts and the success of the KHaRES project.
