Over coming months koalas will be more active, with MidCoast residents encouraged to be extra careful on the road.
"Koala breeding season is usually from August to February, but mating started as early as July this year," said MidCoast Council's Acting Manager Natural Systems, Prue Tucker.
"Koalas are more likely to cross roads and other open areas as they search for a mate or new territory.
"Koalas can be found across the MidCoast, so please slow down on tree-lined roads, especially in low-light conditions, including dusk, dawn and at night."
Some known vehicle strike "hot spots" include The Bucketts Way between Taree and Krambach, Tinonee Road between Tinonee and Wingham, Bootawa Road, Bootawa Dam Road, and Old Bar Road.
Community members are also encouraged to report all koala sightings on the MidCoast Council Website at www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/koalasafespaces. This data is vital for good decision making by government agencies. It helps ecologists know more about koala locations and movements, and where to prioritise vehicle strike prevention strategies.
If your vehicle hits and injures a koala, or if you see a road-injured koala, please call your local koala rescue organisation immediately.
With koalas more often on the ground, dog attacks and livestock trampling also escalate during koala breeding season.
"We can all help by reporting stray dogs and keeping pet dogs secured at night and under effective control," explained Ms Tucker.
"Those with livestock can also consider planting more koala feed trees in paddocks. Trees not only provide shade and wind breaks, but can also serve as refuge sites for koalas."
With koalas a declared endangered species in NSW, QLD and the ACT, everyone in the MidCoast community is encouraged to help them by taking a few simple steps.
Photo credit: Peter Goonan
