Fears over koala population as loss of habitat for development blamed for deaths

Koala ‘hero’ speaks out after the koala he rescued was found to be the same one that was hit by a car just a few months previously.

David Coxsen was hailed a hero after protecting a displaced koala near a busy intersection in Brendale/Warner. Picture: Jennifer Millar

THE koala that was last week rescued by a motorcyclist had been hit by a car in the very same area just a few months ago.

Meanwhile the man in the photo, who was hailed as a hero on social media for saving the koala, has since been identified as Strathpine resident Dave Coxsen.

Mr Coxsen was photographed at the intersection of Old North and Kremzow roads with a koala dubbed “Colonel” clutching his helmet.

Mr Coxsen and Jennifer Millar, who took the photo, waited with Colonel until rescuers from Pine Rivers Koala Care (PRKC) arrived to take him to safety.

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PRKC’s Gary Bain said he was certain it was the same koala that had been hit by a car at a nearby KFC, requiring about six weeks of rehabilitation before being released.

“He’s a young boy, probably being bullied by the older ones and is just trying to find his own territory,” Mr Bain said.

“This time, he was checked by the RSPCA and we released him a bit further away so hopefully he’ll be more likely to find an area where he can establish himself.”

Mr Coxsen told Pine Rivers Press he was glad the koala was OK, but was concerned about its future saying there was no certainty he would be safe.

“I was just out for a ride, saw a little koala on the side of the road and pulled over,” he said.

“This poor little bugger could have been hit by a car.

“I went to get him away from the road and he ran away and tried climbing one of the poles.

“I had my leathers on and thought I’d pick him up and try and get him across the road to the trees.

“Then Ms Millar came over and said a koala rescuer was coming so we stayed until the man came.”

Mr Coxsen said he was surprised at all the attention over the rescue, which occured in warner last Thursday.

“I asked Ms Millar to take a photo so I could show my wife.

“Then I went home, had a cup of tea and never thought any more of it until a couple of days later a friend told me about the story (in Pine Rivers Press).”

In recent years, a thriving koala population lived near the intersection of Old North and Kremzow roads, where Colonel was found.

Mr Bain said 38 koalas were being tracked on the site of what is now Bunnings, about three years before that development went ahead.

“Most of those koalas have met their demise unfortunately,” he said.

“Every one of them is due to lost habitat. There is supposed to be conservation land there.

“It was high value koala habitat which we were unfortunately not able to save.

“We’re just a small organisation, so we need the larger community to voice their concern about the loss of habitat.”

Under current laws, koalas must be relocated within 5km of where they are found, though this is becoming more difficult in Pine Rivers as more and more habitat is being lost for development.

“I find it upsetting,” Mr Coxsen said. “But what can we do? it’s just very sad.”

If you find a koala in danger, phone PRKC on 0401 350 799.