Wildlife apathy blamed for death of local icons
Apathy toward local wildlife and a lead foot could be to blame for numerous koala deaths in the Redlands despite continuous campaigns urging drivers to be mindful.
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APATHY toward local wildlife and a lead foot could be to blame for numerous koala deaths in the Redlands despite continuous campaigns urging drivers to be mindful.
The recent launch of Redland City Council’s springtime koala breeding season campaign, Bachelor in Paradise was met with the recent deaths of two healthy female koalas on local roads.
The first koala, which had been released back into the wild just a month prior, was euthanased by RSPCA animal hospital vets on October 24 after a lengthy rescue that included police, council and RSPCA staff.
An RSPCA spokesman said the koala had suffered significant head injuries after being struck by a vehicle along Wellington St, near Redlands Hospital in Cleveland.
Another female koala was found by residents dead outside King Country Nursery on Dinwoodie Rd, Thornlands yesterday, Wednesday, October 30.
Council staff arranged for the removal of the young koala, which was believed to have been struck at speed.
KOALAS HIT BY CAR WEEKS AFTER RELEASE INTO WILD
Division 3 councillor Paul Golle said endless targeted campaigns reminding drivers to obey speed limits was failing to protect the region’s most iconic native animal.
“I have had flashing signs installed, I have had trailer signs installed, I have put out newsletters — I have done everything in my capacity as a councillor to engage with (drivers) and say be on the lookout for koalas,” Cr Golle said.
KOALA HOSPITAL AND SANCTUARY PROPOSED FOR REDLANDS
“I am still getting letters from irate residents complaining about drivers doing burnouts and speeding through known koala areas.”
Cr Golle said Fitzroy and South streets at Cleveland and Dinwoodie Rd, Thornlands were so bad the council had rolled out multiple road safety devices in the streets.
“I have engaged in an advocacy strategy writing to the minster for main roads and the minister for police, seeking their support in more targeted approaches to motorists who continue to break the law. Speed kills.
BRISBANE SUBURB WHERE KOALAS ARE MAKING A COMEBACK
“King Country Nursery on Dinwoodie drive where this beautiful female koala was hit, is frequented by children for parties, what if this was a child?” he asked.
“Speeding drivers disobeying traffic laws are impacting wildlife and residents alike.
“There is no way a driver disobeying the posted or regulatory speed limit of 50 km h has enough control over a vehicle to pull it up on time to divert away from a pedestrian or koala.”
He said the council’s environmental team at Redlands Indigiscapes Centre also tracked koala populations in order to better target road safety campaigns.
Possibly the best recognised campaign is the Bachelor in Paradise series, which draws from the television program of the same name and features a male koala holding a rose in order to attract a mate.
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