Koala carnage on our Gold Coast roads due to mating season and developments across the city

AT least 10 koalas have been killed since Saturday on Gold Coast roads as mating season and new developments push them towards our busy streets. WARNING: GRAPHIC PHOTO

Pictured is one of many koalas that have been hit and killed since Saturday on the Gold Coast. Picture: Wildcare Australia Inc/Facebook

KOALAS are being mowed down in our suburbs at an alarming rate as mating season and new developments push them towards our busy Gold Coast roads.

At least 10 koalas have been killed since Saturday night from Tallebudgera Valley to Coomera.

Wildlife experts are urging motorists to slow down and pay attention.

Up to another seven koalas have been injured by dog attacks and misadventure including falling into swimming pools on the Coast.

Currumbin Wildlife Hospital’s Dr Michael Pyne told the Gold Coast Bulletin the koala trauma this season was “pretty extreme” and worse than previous years.

Mr Pyne said not all koala deaths were reported and recorded which meant the number of fatalities could be a lot higher.

Pictured is one of many koalas that have been hit and killed since Saturday on the Gold Coast. This shot was taken on Benogin Rd, Benogin. Picture: Wildcare Australia Inc/Facebook

“I know eleven koalas have been hit by cars since Saturday,” he said.

“The hot spots are Tallebudgera Connection Road, Guineas Creek Road and Smith Street.

“Breeding started earlier than usual this year.

“Koalas are not the smartest animal, which means they often end up walking out in front of cars.”

Dr Pyne said people should also lock their dogs inside at night if they live near bushland to avoid koalas being attacked.

A number of near misses and car crashes have been caused on Gold Coast roads in recent weeks with motorists trying to swerve to avoid koalas crossing the road.

On the Wildcare Australian Inc Facebook page hundreds of people described the heartbreak of watching a koala get run over, seeing people try to avoid hitting them and what should be done by local and state government to stop the carnage.

Sandy Frost wrote: “We need large under ground animal crossing like they do in Europe and USA. Property developers are made to put these in and keep tree park corridors for the animals.”

Amanda Quennell posted that a truck driver had a head on with an embankment as he tried to avoid hitting a koala.

“It was just where you come from 110 down to 80 off onto the exit (on Smith St),” she said.

While Leigh Michelle wrote: “There was almost an accident today (August 21) on the road to Runaway Bay just past Harbour Town.

“But one just crossed the road in peak times and two vehicles both travelling in different directions stopped there cars mid-road and waved down vehicles to stop to allow it to cross.

“I understand our wildlife is important but to risk human life is also a little crazy. Maybe the council need to step up and relocate these wildlife into an area where they can’t be killed off by vehicles. As I understand it’s illegal to swerve to miss an animal but at same time most people will.”

City of Gold Coast Cr Peter Young wrote: “The tragedy continues to unfold before our very eyes.

“Funds paid by ratepayers since 2012 through the Open Space Preservation and Land Acquisition Levy ... Approximately $45 million.

“Amount of land purchased by council for habitat since 2012? Zero hectares.”

Wildcare Australia Inc. koala co-ordinator Karen Scott told the Gold Coast Bulletin the recent month has been “horrendous” for koala trauma.

“Motorists need to be careful and more observant,” she said.

Ms Scott said heartbreakingly she had heard of a Gold Coast motorist doing the right thing by stopping and putting his hazard lights on as a koala crossed the road, only to have another motorist zoom around him and run over the animal.

“Sadly the koala was on that had just been released back into the wild,” she said.

To raise money for Currumbin Wildlife Hospital to continue to help injured wildlife an open day is being held on Sunday from 10am to 2pm. Entry into the hospital will be $10.

If you find an injured or dead koala on the Gold Coast phone Wildcare Australia Inc on 5527 2444.