Citizen scientist call-out for koala night spotting in Bongil Bongil National Park

Fancy yourself a citizen scientist and can’t get enough of cuddly koalas? Grab the binoculars and torch because the parks and wildlife service need volunteers for this Mid-North Coast mission.

Get your spectacles on because koala spotters are needed for an annual survey in Bongil Bongil National Park.

Fancy yourself a citizen scientist and can’t get enough of cuddly koalas?

Then grab the binoculars, torch and mozzie repellent because the parks and wildlife service need volunteers for this northern NSW mission.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife (NPWS) have put a mass call-out for spotters for their annual koala population and health survey in Bongil Bongil National Park on the Mid-North Coast.

Spotting teams will scour the park’s trails after dark using specialised NPWS spotlights and audio equipment, with supervision from experienced wildlife rangers.

The popular program, now in its 12th year, is an experience like no other, ranger Martin Smith said.

“Walking through the forest at night with a powerful spotlight can reveal a range of native animals not normally seen during the day,” Mr Smith said.

Thermal image of a koala captured during the annual population survey in Bongil Bongil National Park.

Volunteers are trained and equipped to record the koalas and any other wildlife they might encounter such as the rare yellow-bellied glider.

Mr Smith said the Bongil Bongil National Park is a “stronghold” for koalas and “one of the most important koala populations in the state”.

“We are aiming to monitor for any change that may be occurring in the park’s koala population and make observations on their health and tree selection preferences,” he said.

The program commences on September 22 and runs every fourth night until October 8.

Got a story tip? Email [e-mail]