The current time on the
Mid North Coast of NSW is:

Crowdy being rescued from a tree after a wild fire.

Crowdy was burnt during a wild fire

Crowdy was burnt during a wild fire but rescued by Koalas In Care and nursed back to health.

A wild koala suffering from wet bottom disease

A wild koala suffering from wet bottom disease.

Furless joeys are victims of car hits, dog attacks, etc

Koala Problems

Koalas face many problems in the wild

Habitat Destruction & Fragmentation – is the single biggest threat to our koala’s survival. Clearing of habitat destroys the koala’s shelter and food supply. This ultimately displaces the koala, creates stress for it and forces the koala to move into unfamiliar areas which may well be another koala's territory. (See more about habitat on our Habitat page).

Dog/Cow/Horse Attacks – Every year koalas are injured and/or killed by dogs/cows/horses. Even a very small dog can inflict serious injuries to a koala. Never allow your dog to roam freely, especially at night, and always walk your dog on a lead. Report stray or roaming dogs to your Council Ranger. If you live in a koala area we would encourage you to confine your pets at night even if your yard is fully fenced as koalas can climb fences and can become trapped in a yard with a dog. In the case of cows/horses the koala can suffer broken bones when trodden on or can be picked up and thrown by these large animals. If you suspect that a dog/cow/horse has caused injury to a koala please contact us immediately for assistance.

Road Victims – Most koalas get hit by vehicles at night (between dusk and dawn). Koalas are active at this time visiting their favourite food trees and protecting their territory. During breeding season, August – February, they are also more vulnerable spending time on the ground in search of a mate. Koala Warning Signs have been installed in high koala activity areas to alert motorists of their presence. If you hit a koala or you find a koala injured on the road please stop and call us immediately for assistance. Do not put it up a tree and think that it will be alright as it could be suffering from serious injuries that are not apparent to you.

Swimming Pools - while koalas can swim, swimming pools pose a problem for the koala due to their slippery sides which prevents the koala from climbing out. Potential drowning can be averted by tying a large knotted rope to the fence and dangle into the pool to provide the koala with an escape route.

Wild Fires – Uncontrolled, immediately displaces koalas, destroys food supply and causes horrific burns and smoke inhalation. In this type of incident koalas will climb to the top of the tree with no chance of escape.

Disease in Koalas – all of the above scenarios can be stressful events for koalas. A common disease in koalas is Chlamydia which is stress related. This often shows up in koalas as conjunctivitis and wet bottom. This is extremely painful, highly contagious to other koalas and life threatening if left untreated. Chlamydia affects the whole koala making it very unwell. Quite often these koalas will be found huddled on the ground putting them in immediate danger of predation. Please contact us immediately if you suspect a koala is ill.

What Can You Do?

Drive slowly and carefully in areas where koalas are known to exist and especially where there are ‘Koala Warning Signs’ (these areas are where we have had multiple koala deaths).
Report any dead/injured koalas you may come across immediately to our
24hr Rescue Hotline so an experienced koala handler can assist the koala.
If you hit a koala while driving PLEASE STOP. Place a blanket, towel or coat over the koala and safely remove it from the road. Contact our 24hr Rescue Hotline immediately. Many koalas are hit again and again because no one stopped.
DO NOT leave the koala unattended or attempt to put it up a tree as while the koala may appear uninjured to you, it needs to be examined by our Vet and observed by an experienced carer. Native animals can disguise sickness and injuries well.
Female koalas may well be carrying back or pouch joeys. Both can be thrown on impact and may survive so an experienced carer should assess if the female koala is lactating and a search of the area undertaken. Likewise if joeys are found with the dead mother they should be kept with her and you should contact us for immediate help. This will lessen the stress of the joey.
Please be aware that koalas do bite and scratch and may lash out when injured or frightened. Remember, koalas are wild animals, even though you may think of them as ‘cute and cuddly’.