One of the wonderful benefits of membership to KoalaTracker is the element of education. The koala is such an important economic asset (the biggest drawcard for inbound tourism), an environmental indicator, and iconic of Australia’s unique wildlife, it continues to astound me how little we know about it.
The importance of research cannot be overstated. There is much to learn. The good news is, that you, as a member of KoalaTracker (you are a member aren’t you?) are contributing to this research in your own small way.
While the scientists focus on disease and habitat, I am delighted that KoalaTracker fills a gap of data on the mapping of koala location intelligence, and koala behaviour. Your observations of koalas in the wild reveal increments of information not previously known to science.
For example, until 2009, there was public certainty that koalas didn’t drink water. It was even said that the word koala means “doesn’t drink”.
But the koala does drink. It doesn’t just take a little sip, it guzzles water!
When the video footage of CFS Firefighter David Tree giving water to a grateful and insistent koala named Sam went viral, there could no longer be any doubt they did. The official line was changed from not drinking at all to - they drink when it is extremely hot.
Indeed they do drink when it is hot. But they drink at other times too. We have photos and reports of koalas drinking on hot days, and on cold; in the middle of the day, in the cold early morning AND in the cool of evening, and in the middle of a cold winter. They drink. End of story.
It is no coincidence then, that the KoalaTracker koala map shows that a majority of koalas seen in the wild are located near a creek or river or lake (all of which they have proved quite able to swim across). It could be that riparian food trees are all that’s left in some over-developed parts, but I’m inclined to think it’s more than that. Are they more likely found near waterways for the very reason it puts them close to water?
Another observation is that the koala, far from being terrified of and stressed by human contact as frequently stated by experts, presents as cool and calm in its acceptance of us watching them. This is a generalisation, but it is an indisputable generalisation.1
Koalas drinking was the catalyst for the creation of this national koala map, KoalaTracker.com.au. See the story here.
Koalas have been observed, photographed and filmed drinking water - some long before Sam. Here are just a handful of videos (in order from 2007 to 2013) that show koalas both drinking, and calmly interacting with people. I encourage you to watch them. Third one down is legendary muso Russell Morris giving water to mother and baby koala in 2009.
1. This in no way suggests you should approach a wild animal for a pat, and certainly no attempt should be made to pick up or hold a healthy wild animal. If an animal does appear to be distressed in your proximity, you should back away immediately.