Ecologists on the NSW mid-north coast were surprised and delighted to find that the land around the local water supply dam is home to over 60 wild koalas, with several also spotted.
With the iconic koala declared an endangered species along much of the east coast of Australia, MidCoast Council ecologists have been mapping koala populations in the wild as part of the NSW Government funded Koala Safe Spaces program.
Thermal drone surveys revealed more than 60 koalas using the Bootawa Dam site. That equates to about one koala for every 2.5-hectares of land. While koala density in the wild varies, the koala population on the dam compound is about seven times higher than the average density found within the MidCoast and looks to be acting as a koala safe space.
"We are investigating the area to better understand why the dam holds such a large koala population and how this knowledge could be applied," said MidCoast Council Manager of Natural Systems, Gerard Tuckerman.
"We know there's a lot more work to do so that koalas can thrive in the area. In particular, we are working with local landholders to create corridors so that koalas can move safely between habitats. But the existence of a safe space at Bootawa is a very encouraging start."
The Bootawa dam is within an area known as the Kiwarrak Area of Regional Koala Significance. There were already a number of trees on the property that are favoured by koalas, including tallowwood, grey gum, forest red gum, and grey box. Council has been enhancing the land for koalas by weed removal and selective tree planting as well as progressively replacing some former hardwood plantation areas with diverse native forest dominated by koala feed trees.
"This recent data find will allow us to track changes in the population over time and measure the success of our conservation actions as well as the impacts of major events such as drought or fire," explained Mr Tuckerman.
"People in the area have a strong affinity with koalas, especially the traditional owners of the land, the Biripi people. The projects we are undertaking have built on and supported work that was being done in the area by community members."
Landholders with dams are especially encouraged to consider planting and or protecting koala food trees. Planting appropriate trees in suitable locations can support koalas and benefit landholders.
