Lake Macquarie koala distribution map
newy.com.au – Up to 2000 koalas are believed to be living around Mount Sugarloaf, with new survey data also identifying clusters near Teralba, Killingworth and West Wallsend.
A compilation of recent koala records, including scat detections by sniffer dogs during a Lake Macquarie City Council survey last year, suggests the animals are far more widespread across the city than previously understood.
Council’s Manager Environmental Systems Brendan Callander said koalas were using large areas of native vegetation around Mount Sugarloaf, on both sides of the Pacific Motorway, with the population extending through to Teralba, West Wallsend and Fassifern.
“It’s just amazing that this large and significant population was probably always there but not seen or recognised,” he said.
“Only in the past 1-2 years has the potential size, density and distribution of koalas in this area been realised, because of the concentration of surveys and the effectiveness of recent survey techniques.
“The population is turning out to be much larger and more dense than expected, with 2000 individuals a fairly conservative estimate.
“The exact size, along with how far it extends, requires further investigation.”
Koalas have also been recorded over the past six years in other parts of Lake Macquarie, including Bolton Point, Morisset, Wyee, Barnsley and Cameron Park.
Traditional surveys have relied on ecologists visually searching for koalas or their droppings, known as scats, but Council says sniffer dogs and aerial drones have made detection more effective and reliable.
Further surveys have been commissioned for coming months, using drones fitted with thermal cameras capable of detecting a koala’s body heat in the tree canopy.
“We will be looking in areas where koala habitat and food trees have been mapped, but there aren’t a lot of actual koala records. These areas include Awaba and Wyee,” Mr Callander said.
“This is important work, not only to get a better understanding of our local koalas, but to ensure our planning and land zonings consider and accommodate this population as our city continues to grow.”
The drone surveys are expected to begin next month and continue through August.
Lake Macquarie koala distribution map
