Tragic Flinders death highlights flaw in koala return rules for Straddie

After surviving being hit by a car and mainland treatment, Flinders the much-loved koala, has died trying to swim home to North Stradbroke Island, prompting demands for new wildlife protocols.

Straddie koala Flinders has died while living on the coast near Point Halloran after he was taken to the mainland for treatment following being hit by a car on Straddie.

A young koala has died after his apparent desperate attempt to swim home to Minjerribah, North Stradbroke Island, leaving locals and wildlife advocates calling for urgent wildlife policy reforms.

Flinders, a vibrant male koala native to Stradbroke Island, was struck by a car on the island in May and taken to mainland veterinarians for emergency treatment.

After recovering, he was released at Point Halloran on the mainland, where he was living in local gum trees in a conservation area just across the bay from North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah).

Despite surviving his injuries, it is believed Flinders repeatedly tried to make his way back home.

At one point, he is believed to have attempted to swim across the bay, but was ultimately found dead on the waterfront near Point Halloran.

The tragedy has renewed scrutiny of certain policies of the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, known as DETSI, and the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation, which manages Minjerribah.

Flinders seen in a tree at Point Halloran last month. Pictures: Contributed

Both organisations had refused permission for Flinders to be returned to the island after rehabilitation.

Officials explained that returning koalas treated or housed off-island could introduce diseases, such as chlamydia, into Minjerribah’s unique and largely disease-free koala population.

A department statement said sick and injured koalas were treated on the mainland because that is where specialist veterinary treatment is available.

“We are working collaboratively with QYAC, Redland City Council and the RSPCA to manage and enhance koala habitat and populations on Stradbroke Island,” the department said.

“Following expert advice and consultation on the preservation of biosecurity on Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island), the standard practice is to carefully rehome koalas on the mainland.”

QYAC also defended the decision, stating it was committed to the protection and long-term survival of the island’s sacred koala population.

It also highlighted work it had done to significantly increase koala habitat by increasing the amount of land dedicated to national park which will eventually be 80 per cent of the island.

Asked specifically why Flinders was not permitted to return, QYAC said the risks of introducing disease into the island’s unique koala population were too significant.

“We have a strong spiritual and cultural connection to koalas and are deeply saddened at the loss of any koala,” QYAC said.

“However, we have a responsibility to protect the koala population and the island’s unique biodiversity, through traditional knowledge and modern science.

“These koalas have been free from many of the diseases that have devastated mainland populations, including chlamydia, which is why we do not allow the return of rehabilitated koalas to Minjerribah if they have been treated or housed off-island.

“This precaution is based on strong cultural knowledge and scientific evidence that highlights the risks of introducing disease or disrupting the genetic integrity of the koala population on Minjerribah.”

The organisation also highlighted its work with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and other agencies to monitor and protect the island’s koalas, including using drones and AI technology during cultural fire management programs.

Flinders’ death has prompted calls for a change to the policy for repatriating healthy animals from the mainland back to Straddie. Picture: Contributed

The policy, while aimed at protecting the island’s wildlife, has sparked anger among residents and wildlife advocates including the high-profile Koala Action Group, KAG.

KAG has written to the department asking for the policy on returning healthy rehabilitated koalas to the island to be updated to allow animals such as Flinders to go home.

A petition calling for the policy reform and signed by more than 2000, is also urging QYAC and DETSI to establish a clear, science-based protocol for safely returning rehabilitated koalas to their home ranges.

It has already gathered dozens of signatures from locals and wildlife advocates, demands a balance between protecting the island’s disease-free koalas and ensuring animal welfare. Petition organiser Richard Ofsoski said he started the petition because koalas were iconic to Stradbroke Island.

“Denying rehabilitated koalas the chance to return home can have devastating consequences, as Flinders’ death tragically demonstrates.”

KAG volunteers have reported that koala numbers in this year’s koala count on Straddie were down from previous years.

Social media comments described the situation as “tragic” and “unacceptable,” questioning why a healthy, rehabilitated koala could not safely return to his home.