Griffith University is leading theSouth East Queensland Koala Count and asking all citizens to participate and report koala sightings.
Identifying koala numbers and locations in South East Queensland will contribute to the data necessary for conservation planning at local, state and national levels.
The large-scale coordinated citizen science survey will kick off on 7 September 2023, National Threatened Species Day, and will run through to 8 October 2023.
The Koala Count will launch with webinar event Learn how to become a koalafied detective.
Founding director of Social Marketing @ Griffith, Professor Sharyn Rundle-Thiele
The public will learn how to log koala sightings and learn how to look for clues to detect if koalas are living in their backyards, on surrounding properties or in national parks.
Social Marketing @ Griffith Professor Sharyn Rundle-Thiele said anyone can join the Koala Count.
“It’s as easy as taking a photo using the QWildlife or iNaturalist App,” Professor Sharyn Rundle-Thiele said.
“When you consider only two per cent of endangered species get off an endangered list, it is critical that we all to take actions to help get koalas off the endangered species list.
“The Australian koala population declined by 30 per cent between 2018 and 2021 and it would be great if we could stop this decline.
“Reporting koala sightings also helps early detection of illness or injury.
“If you can learn to spot sick koalas, your report might just save a koalas life.”
For more information and to register for the webinar, visit the Wildlife Watcher.
