5 ways to protect Macarthur region’s koalas during their amorous breeding season

IT’S koala breeding season and the amorous marsupials are roaming around in search of love. Here is our top 5 tips of how protect our precious furry residents while they search for a mate.

Amorous koalas are roaming the Macarthur region in search of love during their breeding season, from August to February.

• Calls for a national park along Georges River to save Campbelltown’s koala colony
• More koala deaths on Appin Rd

WATCH out because it’s koala breeding season and the amorous marsupials are roaming around the Macarthur region in search of love and a mate.

Drivers and residents across the region are being reminded that from now and until February, it’s koala breeding season and the furry marsupials are on the move and searching for love so it’s more likely they will cross your path.

Sydney Wildlife has published a list of the top things people can do to protect our region’s very vulnerable and precious inhabitants during their breeding season.

The list follows a Macarthur Chronicle report earlier this month of the death of nine koalas on roads including Appin and Picton roads and the Hume Highway.

Drivers are urged to slow down on roads including Appin Rd and Ruse’s Junction Rd during koala breeding season.

Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services koala co-ordinator Renee Faron urged drivers and residents to be aware that koalas were on the move during the current breeding season especially at night, as soon as the sun starts to set.

“The boys are on the prowl,’’ she said.

“Slow down and be alert when you are driving because most fatalities occur when koalas are trying to cross the road especially near green corridors in the region.’’

Ms Faron said Appin Rd, from Rosemeadow to Mt Gilead, and Junction Rd, Ruse, were the common roads koalas tried to cross.

“Take note of the warning signs,’’ she said.

Save the Wildlife and Bushlands in Campbelltown Facebook page founder Ricardo Lonza said from dawn to dusk he urged drivers to be cautious while driving along roads near bushland and wildlife areas.

“If you see an injured koala phone WIRES or Sydney Wildlife,’’ he said.

FIVE WAYS TO PROTECT KOALAS DURING BREEDING SEASON:

1. Be aware and slow down on our roads at night:

Keep an eye out for koala crossing signs which are placed in known koala crossing locations. Injuries caused by cars are the main cause of death to koalas. Reduce your speed at night and stay alert and look out for wildlife on the road and on the side of the road.

2. Keep pet dogs secure in your yard:

Irresponsible pet dog ownership leads to roaming domestic dogs which are a major threat. Ensure your yard is escape proof for your pets and your animals are secure.

3. If you spot a koala keep your pet dog restrained:

When you see a koala, make sure your pet dog is restrained until the marsupial has moved on. Also, advise your neighbours when you see a koala in the area so they can do the same. If your pet dog is continuously barking at night, go and investigate because it could be a koala.

4. If you have a swimming pool, provide ways for a koala to get out of it:

Although koalas can swim, they often drown in swimming pools because they are unable to get out if they have fallen in. If you have a pool, securely tie a sturdy piece of rope to a tree or post at the side of the pool and place the end in the water. Or, ensure your pool fence is koala proof as well as child proof.

5. Don’t cut down eucalyptus trees:

Eucalyptus trees are a koala’s home and food. Keep and plant native vegetation on your property. Plant trees along the fences and creek lines as linkages to parks and bushland. This also gives koalas more safety from dogs and cars. Don’t plant koala trees along major roads as this can encourage the marsupials into danger.

Finally, if you come across a sick or injured koala immediately phone Sydney Wildlife on 9413 4300 or WIRES on 1300 094 737.