Logan media release published 19 July 2013
Keep Your Eyes Peeled For Koalas This October
Any sighting can be reported to Logan Council either on
3820 1103
or at logan.qld.gov.au/wildlifesightings
Logan residents are being encouraged to keep an eye out for koalas during an annual community koala survey.
Over the weekend of 19-20 October residents will be asked to send in details of any koalas they come across in the bush, either in urban locations or rural areas.
Health, Environment and Sustainability Committee Chair Cr Trevina Schwarz said the weekend was about raising awareness of the region's most iconic residents and the importance of maintaining koala habitat corridors across the city.
"We know that koalas inhabit many areas within Logan City and it is essential that we continue to build our knowledge of their distribution and numbers," she said.
"During the sighting period, residents are asked to note down the locations and times of sightings and then report them to Council by phone or through Council's website.
"We urge residents to report as much information as they can – from size, location, health, behaviour, sex and species of tree; a photograph is also useful.
"While koalas do tend to spend most of their days asleep in trees or grazing, spring time is also mating season and they can be expected to be a little more active than usual – keep an ear our for their distinctive grunts at all hours of the day."
Cr Schwarz said the survey, now in its third year in Logan, was a good way to gather information on koala distribution not just in Logan but across the region.
"It's important that we make sure we regularly build a snapshot of koala distribution across the city to understand movement patterns and try to help manage urban growth across the city," she said.
"We are also partnering with Redland City Council, Moreton Bay Regional Council and the Koala Action Group to conduct surveys on the same day in an effort to build some regional information on koala movements between cities.
"This information is added to Council records and will assist with refining future whole of city koala population.
"Conservation isn't just for zoos, it's something we can all play a part in, even by just looking up during your morning bush walk or keeping an eye out when working on your property.
"I strongly encourage all residents to mark the weekend in their calendars and start to keep an eye out for koalas in their communities."
Any sighting/s can be reported to Council either on 38201103
or online at logan.qld.gov.au/wildlifesightings.
Koala hotspot in Logan is Berrinba Sanctuary at Browns Plains. See regular posting on their Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Berrinba-Sanctuary/326254244157209?hc_location=timeline Click to see some of the latest photos.