A horror stretch of the Sunshine Motorway has been found to be one of the worst roads for koala hit and runs on the Coast, with deaths and rescues tragically on the rise.
A local wildlife rescue group is pleading with drivers to “be more aware” as koala road deaths in the region rose a shocking 154 per cent from 2018 to 2021.
There were 28 koala deaths and 175 rescues in 2021, with this year’s losses expected to be even higher again — and it’s only the start of the breeding season.
The peak months for koala rescues are in September and October.
Noosa and Sunshine Coast Region Koala Rescue Team – Wildcare Australia volunteer Scott Wilson said the latest road victim, Harry, was found maimed on the side of the Sunshine Motorway between Peregian Springs and Eumarella roundabout.
He was discovered just after dusk on a Sunday after being struck by a car.
“We believe that section is one of worst roads for koala car hits,” Mr Wilson said.
“A lovely member of the public, named Harry, saw him and did an 8km round trip back to check him. No-one else had stopped or called about him, so thank you so much Harry.”
Harry the koala is a big boy at 8.2kg and would have been out pursuing a breeding mate.
He is now down at Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital getting expert assessment, treatment and care.
“He’s hanging in there, but he’s not out of the woods yet,” Mr Wilson said.
Mr Wilson said Harry was the second koala hit on that stretch of road this season and the fifth in the region.
“We equally have issues with the Bruce Highway between Pomona and Federal but this road has become a problem over the last few years,” he said.
He revealed some alarming data gathered by the group, with a 65 per cent increase year-on-year in rescues over the last three years.
“There were 41 koala rescues in 2019, 104 in 2020, 175 in 2021 and 52 up to June, prior to the breeding season in 2022,” he said.
“These are all rescue numbers, not just road trauma, but based on the numbers so far this year, we expect the 2022 numbers to be slightly higher than 2021.
“We recorded 11 koala road deaths 2018, then 18 in 2019, 25 in 2020 and 28 in 2021.”
Mr Wilson said the rising road trauma was linked to increased traffic from population growth, people not paying attention and the impact of bushfires that tore through that area in 2019.
He said koala road trauma was quite often a hit-and-run situation.
“It’s always hard. In most cases people wouldn’t have been paying attention, but if you’ve hit a koala you’ve probably got an idea you’ve hit something,” he said.
“We keep very detailed records of every rescue we attend to, and we do the most koala rescues up and down the Sunshine Coast.
“It’s important to call us if you hit or see one, so we can try and save the Koala and for our data record-keeping.”
The rescue group is part of the campaign Koalas on the Move, an initiative by the Noosa Biosphere, Noosa Shire Council, Noosa MP Sandy Bolton, the Koala Crusaders and Transport and Main Roads.
“Some funding allowed us to currently have a number of mobile signage installed around the Coast… we’re hoping that will have an effect in other koala travelling areas.”
With the koala breeding season from July to December, Mr Wilson said koala movement and activity was only going to increase until Christmas.
“If people can please be on their toes and pay attention and help us out and call us anytime if they see them or hit them,” he said.
“They cross the road more than people realise.”
The State Government’s koala protection work is being accelerated through a $5 million Queensland Government-funded program to maintain koala fencing in the North Coast Region, stretching from Strathpine to Pomona, out to Fernvale, Esk, Toogoolawah and surrounding areas.
A Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said that would mean more frequent inspections and maintenance on koala exclusion fences in priority areas to help protect koalas from vehicle strikes.
The spokesperson said works had included fence and gap repairs and removing vegetation from fences to provide a clear zone on the habitat side and the roadside to help prevent koalas from climbing over and onto the road.
“Since October 2021, about 40kms of koala fencing has been maintained and repaired,” the spokesperson said.
“Koalas are more active during the breeding season and for motorists to drive with care around wildlife areas.”
Report any sick or injured koalas to RSPCA Queensland’s 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625), or SEQ Wildcare Australia on 5527 2444.
