Fears Campbelltown koalas face extinction
THE mounting death toll of the region’s disease-free koalas has horrified wildlife activists, concerned the dwindling population will be obliterated within ten years.
Macarthur
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THE mounting death toll of the region’s disease-free koalas has horrified wildlife activists, concerned the dwindling population will be obliterated within ten years.
Startling numbers of koala fatalities on the notorious Appin Rd have prompted grave fears for the Campbelltown koala colony’s future said Help Save the Wildlife and Bushlands in Campbelltown founder Ricardo Lonza.
“I would say in ten years time we will probably wipe the koala population away, the way we are going now,” he said.
“With no protection and wildlife corridors and habitats being destroyed, we can kiss our koalas goodbye.
“The number of koalas being killed on Appin Rd has increased big time because of more housing and more cars.
“They are the only known disease free koalas and the government is treating them as if they aren’t special.”
Mr Lonza, who has attended roadside for more than 60 injured koalas, attended a horrific rescue on Appin Rd on Monday night.
“It was the worst rescue I had ever been too,” he said. “After being to a number of rescues you can get use to it but to have a koala die in your hands is something else.
“The koala’s front leg was missing and with the pain it would have gone through, it would have likely bled to death.
“My heart breaks every time.”
Campbelltown Labor MP Greg Warren has demanded the NSW Government prioritise action to reduce koala deaths on Appin Rd.
“We have seen too many koalas killed on Appin Rd in recent times, and it seems no matter how many times our community tells the government they need to act, they simply won’t listen,” he said.
“What we desperately need is the full-scale upgrade of Appin Rd into a dual carriageway, and as part of that upgrade the delivery of wildlife overpasses/underpasses and exclusion fencing.”
If you do see sick or injured wildlife on the road, please contact Sydney Wildlife on 9413 4300.