The Queensland state governments assess koala habitat on the colour of pixels in a satellite map, and base infrastructure and development decisions upon that. Already, Koalatracker.com.au has proved that habitat value, as determined by this means, has little relationship with where koalas are living today.

Ideally, the quality of koala habitat is measured by the density of preferred food tree species, that in Southeast Queensland include Swamp Mahogany, Forest Red Gum, Brush Box, Paperbark, Scribbly gum, Tallowood, River Red-gum, Blackbutt, Flooded Gum, and… well, see the research on the Koalatracker.com.au resources page.

According to the research, Improving Habitat Models and Their Utility in Koala Conservation, about 50% of forests and woodlands within the historic range of koalas throughout Australia, has been cleared for agriculture and urban development since 1788. Most of what was lush koala forest is now housing estates.

Through it all, koalas have adapted as best they can, returning to their favourite food trees despite the imposition of housing, extreme fencing, unrestrained dogs, and roads with speeding cars between them. As is the case in all areas where koala habitat has been cleared for housing. The satellite map may no longer call it high value koala habitat, because it isn’t any more, but the koalas don’t have the benefit of such a map.

In our urban environment, interactions with humans are unavoidable. What we need to do is recognise koalas are there, and change our behaviour accordingly.

First and foremost, we need to retain mature food trees, plant more, plant a variety of food trees, and allow for protected movement through home ranges. The linking of habitat to restore or create safe corridors is now critical for genetic health of stressed and isolated populations.

We need to know where the koalas are living, but first we have to find them. Most children and many adults today have never seen a koala in the wild, so here are my three tips to help you spot a koala:

1. Distinctive scratchings (two lines parallel at an angle above smaller random scratches) visible on favoured trees. Look and you will clearly see them. 
2. The smell of koala urine is similar to that of cat wee with a hint of eucalyptus! It is especially noticeable early in the morning. If you can smell the wee, they are not far away. Wee with fresh scat? You are close.
3. Koala scat - their poo - is bullet-like in shape. Fresh poo ranges from dark to light brown, and older poo can be an ochre powder.

Click an image to open the photo gallery.

When you find fresh poo, look up, look around at surrounding trees. They'll sleep in anything, not just eucalyptus. If you find a koala, make a note of where you are and report the sighting to www.koalatracker.com.au. 

This is really important - we can't save them if we don't know where they are.

You can also search the KoalaTracker.com.au database or view the map, download research, or use the photos for school projects. Become a KoalaTracker today! It’s free.