Place an escape rope or board across the corner of your pool.
Several koalas drown each year while attempting to drink water from pools. Although good swimmers, koalas are unable to grip slippery pool surfaces if they fall in.
A board placed across the corner of your pool, preferably at the shallow end will provide a means of escape. A heavy-duty rope suspended into the pool is another option.
Always keep a fresh supply of water in a container at the base of a favourite food tree. (About 30cm above ground level will discourage toads).
Fences
& Koalas
Make fences koala friendly
Koalas can become disorientated when encountering new fences in their territory, especially if the fences are constructed from materials that they cannot grip, such as brick or metal.
If you already have this type of fence, planting trees either side to form a bridge is one way to make it more koala friendly.
Existing trees can be incorporated into new fences. A variation of this would be to simply place wooden poles against the fence.
Dogs
& Koalas
Keep yards dog-free at night.
You can keep your dog enclosed on a veranda, or tied up on a leash, or try letting them sleep inside.
Do you know how your dog will react to a koala?
The Seven Misconceptions About Dogs and Koalas
1. My dog wouldn’t hurt anything.
Has your dog ever seen a koala? Most dogs feel threatened by the sight of a koala in the yard and will naturally attack.
2. My dog would only play with it. Even a quick bite is enough to kill a koala.
Their skin is very pliable and internal organs are easily punctured.
3. We bought this property to give our dogs room to run.
Dogs have all day to play – surely we could share. By restraining dogs at night when koalas mainly move, many attacks could be avoided.
4. It’s cruel to chain a dog.
Dogs soon enjoy the routine of being “tucked in” every night and so will neighbours who won’t be disturbed by barking.
5. I want my dog loose on my property for protection.
Unrestrained dogs can easily be baited or distracted. Your dog is much safer up at the house where he can guard you best.
6. But I have a fence and no trees anyway.
Koalas can climb most fences and often must cross yards to reach nearby Eucalypts.
7. There’s plenty of bush for them at the end of the street.
Koalas can no longer rely on the diminishing remnant bushland. Suburban gardens are now an essential part of their territory
Trees
& Koalas
Plant more trees
Koalas cannot be restricted to isolated bushland reserves and therefore it is essential for them to move to other areas in relative safety.
Footpaths in residential areas where the speed zone is 60km or less can make excellent wildlife corridors. Ask for koala food trees when given a choice for footpath planting. It is important to plant the correct species for your area.
When development occurs, habitats become fragmented and koalas must cross through residential properties to reach remaining food trees.
Even small yards can be suitable for planting koala food trees provided the trees are kept pruned to a manageable height.
Driving
& Koalas
Slow down driving at night
While crossing open ground koalas are vulnerable to dogs and traffic and without our help they cannot survive.
Drivers are reminded to slow down at night for koalas especially where lighting is poor.
On dual lanes where vegetation is along the median strip (e.g. Finucane Road) it is better to travel in the left lane.
Education
& Koalas
Come to our meetings
A good way to deal with koalas is getting to know them better. We have also produced a couple of helpful brochures.
