Lismore City Council is urging motorists to slow down on the road and watch out for koalas now that they are taking advantage of the spring weather to venture out in search of food and a mate.
Council's Environmental Strategies Officer Wendy Neilan said while we are lucky to live in an area with a significant koala population, it is up to all of us to help protect them, particularly after last season's devastating bushfires.
"Spring has sprung and koalas are actively moving around trying to find territory with enough food and opportunities to breed in the ever reducing and fragmented koala habitat areas," she said.
"Unfortunately, during this time each year the Friends of the Koala (FOK) receives an ever-increasing number of calls about injured or dead animals. in the past 10 days alone 7 koalas have been hit by cars around Lismore.
"Koalas are vulnerable to extinction in NSW and many of our roads cut right through some of their prime habitat.
"People need to be especially careful in areas that we know are hotspots for koala vehicle strikes. For example, on Wyrallah Rd, Coraki Rd, Bruxner Highway and Ballina Rd, Rous Rd, Bangalow Rd, Dunoon Rd, Nimbin Rd, and near The Channon and Rosebank.
"Koalas are most active and on the ground between dusk and dawn, but it's important that motorists are vigilant at all times.
"Please slow down and watch out for koalas. If you see a koala that is sick or injured, phone FoK's 24-hour rescue hotline on 6622 1233.
"Lismore City Council will place variable message signs at hotspots over the coming months to remind drivers to be vigilant when driving through koala habitat."
