Protecting the Iconic Koalas of the Northern Rivers: The Dedication of Friends of the Koala
Jennifer Ridolfi, Volunteer Coordinator with Charlotte the koala
By Dr Jane Barker
Celebrating World Koala Day
“Every koala returned to the wild after being rehabilitated following trauma, disease or being orphaned is a cause for celebration.”
Lismore's Friends of the Koala recently celebrated the 2,000th koala being returned to the wild after being rescued, treated and rehabilitated.
Friends of the Koala has made great strides in the 35 years since its inception. This dedicated and passionate group of volunteers maintains a ‘never give up’ attitude towards preserving the survival of wild koalas in the Northern Rivers. Despite facing numerous risks to their safety and existence in our region, koalas have the support of a network of volunteers, veterinary scientists, environmental warriors and researchers across the country who are united in their efforts to protect this iconic and gentle animal, which requires the support of every Australian.
Why are our koalas in trouble?
To comprehend this, we need to examine the ideal conditions for this species, which evolved as the eucalyptus tree became the dominant forest species in Australia. Koalas consume 500 or more grams of eucalyptus leaves daily. Not only have their digestive systems adapted to handle the tough and toxic leaves of eucalyptus, aided by their gut bacteria, but their gut microbiome is specific to the types of eucalyptus they feed on in different areas. Koalas possess knowledge not only about safe feeding locations and how to obtain ‘medicinal’ leaves and bark, but also about the whereabouts of other koalas. Spending most of their days high up in eucalyptus trees is their primary defence against predators.
And where do we find koalas today? Due to land clearing, climate disasters and logging, there is an increasing loss and fragmentation of koala habitats. This distressing trend persists, despite koalas being listed as endangered. Koalas now have to travel longer distances to find suitable trees and mates, making them susceptible to vehicle collisions and dog attacks. Available trees may become overgrazed, causing both the tree and the koala to suffer. Stress in koalas compromises their immunity, rendering them more vulnerable to diseases like chlamydia.
Volunteers are crucial
Jennifer Ridolfi came out of retirement after a career as a National Park ranger, bringing her knowledge and expertise to her new role as Volunteer Coordinator and trainer at Friends of the Koala. Currently, Friends of the Koala is operated by nearly 240 volunteers and nine paid staff members, with up to 46 volunteers working at any given time.
Volunteers work in key areas identified by Friends of the Koala as crucial for increasing the chances of koala survival. Friends of the Koala’s overarching goal in the Northern Rivers is to ensure the conservation of the iconic koala, preserve and enhance koala habitats, engage and educate the community about koalas and the challenges they face, and advocate for their protection.
Volunteers at Friends of the Koala possess a wide range of skills, which they apply to various aspects of koala conservation. These include establishing koala corridors through tree planting, managing the koala tree nursery (which sold over 38,000 trees last year), rescuing distressed koalas, sourcing fresh eucalyptus leaves daily, providing care for koalas in homes and on properties, and working in the hospital. In the hospital area, volunteers play a vital role in providing care and monitoring, cleaning enclosures and ensuring a fresh food supply. Monitoring and reporting the behaviours and signs of illness in koala patients, including the number and nature of scats (up to a hundred a day for a healthy koala), are essential for their wellbeing.
Volunteer story: Gwen
Gwen is a volunteer supervisor in the hospital, where she teaches and guides newer volunteers using the knowledge and wisdom she has gained from 20 years as a wildlife carer. On her own property, she has regenerated the bush, released rehabilitated koalas and cared for many orphaned and injured animals. She believes in concentrating on and celebrating the 30% of koalas that survive, highlighting the positives. Gwen expresses concern that the government does not take the plight of koalas seriously enough at a higher level. Nonetheless, she remains dedicated to the protection of koalas in the wild and focuses on doing her part.
Magnus' Story
We met Magnus in his safe house. He is a favourite among the volunteers, many of whom have been involved in his care since his days in the nursery. Jen explained that we could learn about various aspects of koala rehabilitation, from rescue to release, through Magnus' story.
“I won the hearts of many, when I first arrived at Friends of the Koala in October 2021 as a teeny tiny joey. I was born a twin, which is extremely rare and both babies don’t normally survive. I was abandoned by my mum because koalas are really only able to look after one koala at a time. Found at six months old, weighing a tiny 300g I am really lucky to be alive and thank Friends of the Koala for that! I have been hand-raised by my carers who have always looked after me. I was delighted to be off to kindy plantation last year but had a fall and returned to FOK so they could care for me again and build up my muscles! I am giving it a second shot right now and I think this time is the one.”
Friends of the Koala operates a 24-hour hotline that offers advice to people who encounter sick, injured or orphaned koalas. A trained rescue volunteer went to retrieve Magnus, who was brought to the koala hospital. He was frail and tiny, not expected to survive - possibly one of the twins the mother couldn't care for. As a tiny joey, he received care from volunteers trained in nursery care and, against the odds, survived thanks to their tender loving care.
Following treatment and rehabilitation, rescue koalas are transferred to a soft-release enclosure where they can regain muscle strength and learn to climb before eventually being returned to the wild. The safe house allows Magnus to climb his eucalyptus tree safely without the risk of attack or escape. He receives 24-hour care and is closely monitored by volunteers, who track his food consumption and behaviour. His health is reviewed daily by the full-time koala vet employed at the hospital. Due to his disadvantaged start, Magnus is smaller than expected and has not fully mastered jumping safely from limb to limb of the eucalyptus tree he resides in.
"When we release a koala, we want it to survive. Our primary goal is to ensure the health and survival of our koalas when they return to the wild."
Healing sick and injured koalas
Each year, Friends of the Koala rescue over 350 sick, injured and orphaned koalas. In the 2021 - 2022 period, 371 koalas were rescued, and 104 (32%) were released. Chlamydial infection is the most common reason for hospital admission, followed by vehicle collisions and dog attacks, both of which have very low survival rates.
Despite intensive care provided by volunteers and expert veterinarians, many of the koalas admitted are too sick or traumatised to survive. In such cases, the focus shifts to palliative care and euthanasia to prevent suffering, which places a heavy emotional burden on the volunteers. During volunteer training, Jen addresses the grief and despair that may arise from such situations, emphasising that there are many volunteer roles available, all of which contribute to giving koalas the best chance at survival.
"We tell people that if they see a koala on the ground, that's not normal. If they see a koala sitting on a fence, that's not normal. A wet brown bottom indicates chlamydia. If a koala is mobile and displays aggression, it is likely fine!"
There are two koalas living in the hospital who will never be able to live in the wild, and Friends of the Koala has permission to care for them in the hospital setting. They have become ambassadors for koala care. To increase the chances of a released koala's survival, it should not become habituated to humans, and volunteers discourage such behaviour. However, Charlotte and Ivy are accustomed to visitors. Ivy, in particular, enjoys being the centre of attention and has a large following on Facebook. Both koalas are in good health but have congenital hip dysplasia, which limits their mobility and ability to carry joeys.
Charlotte's story
Charlotte is an endearingly gentle animal who was rescued in 2018. Friends of the Koala celebrated her on Mother's Day because she has been a surrogate mother to many orphaned joeys, contributing to their wellbeing and survival.
Feeding a koala requires volunteers to source enough fresh eucalyptus leaves to provide 500 grams or more per day. Volunteers rise early to gather breakfast by 9am. Leaves are primarily sourced from three main species, but secondary species are also important, especially for koalas with gut dysbiosis.
During our visit to the hospital, which was not during mating season, the number of in-patients was low. However, during the ;trauma season’, when koalas are forced to travel on the ground in search of mates or fresh trees, they are most vulnerable to injury, resulting in an increase in hospital admissions.
Lukas’ story
Lukas and Drizzle were nearing the end of their treatment and rehabilitation in the boys' enclosure. Lukas had been admitted with a bladder infection caused by chlamydia. Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection that can lead to keratoconjunctivitis in the eyes. In Lukas' case, it affected his urogenital system, causing painful cystitis. Fortunately, with antibiotic treatment, he improved and was almost ready to be placed in a safe house environment before his eventual release into the wild. Volunteers undergo general training followed by specific training in the care of sick koalas. They work under the supervision of experienced volunteers, and only the most experienced volunteers handle the sickest animals.
Veterinary Care
Dr. Jackie Reed, the Superintendent Veterinarian at the koala hospital, leads the team of veterinary doctors and nurses who provide clinical care to koalas brought into the hospital. Jen says Dr. Reed knows everything about koalas.
According to Dr. Reed, being an expert koala vet is essential due to the complexity of koala health. Chlamydial infection is the most common reason for in-patient admission, followed by vehicle collisions and dog bites.
Dr. Reed mentions that the team now has access to digital radiography for diagnosing bony trauma and ultrasound for soft tissue injuries, cysts and scarring caused by chlamydial disease. They can also perform on-the-spot PCR testing to diagnose chlamydia and conduct blood, urine and fecal testing on-site. This enables them not only to provide timely and accurate treatment but also to contribute to koala research by expanding the knowledge pool on koala diseases and injuries.
"A full koala examination, conducted upon admission, can take up to two hours, including a comprehensive examination, imaging and pathology tests analysing blood, urine, faeces and bone marrow to identify leukaemia."
Dr. Reed is clearly passionate about koala care and possesses extensive knowledge of the diseases and injuries that affect them, contributing to a greater understanding of koala care throughout Australia.
"We try not to dwell on the losses but instead focus on the 30% that survive, considering each success a reason for celebration."
With every dedicated volunteer playing their part, Friends of the Koala continues to make a significant impact on the survival and wellbeing of koalas in the Northern Rivers region. Through their tireless efforts, they provide hope for the future of these beloved and iconic creatures.