Support the endangered Koala

For two decades, Australian Wildlife Conservancy has conserved and managed Eucalypt forests and woodlands (natural habitat for the iconic Koala) at Curramore and Mount Zero-Taravale Wildlife Sanctuaries in eastern Australia. Joined by Gorton Forest in 2022, AWC now protects the endangered Koala at three sanctuaries, and across nearly 65,000 ha.

Koala populations have suffered a dramatic decline in recent years - in large part due to population fragmentation and a loss of suitable habitat – which has led the species to be listed as Endangered in February of 2020. AWC supports Koala populations by preserving the forests they call home, as well as pursuing new and innovative research techniques that provide crucial data on population density, distribution, and potential threats, which can be used to inform conservation activities.

Thank you for supporting this project – your generous contribution to conserving the endangered Koala has been essential in ensuring this progress can be made. Attached is a full report on AWC's work with Koalas to-date - I hope you will enjoy reading. 

If you are curious to hear more about the work you have made possible, please don't hesitate to reach out. 

Links:

• Listening up for Koalas
• Gorton Forest
• Donation Page

• AWC__Support_the_endangered_Koala.pdf (PDF)
  

Situated less than three hours north of Sydney, AWC’s newest sanctuary protects 3,932 hectares of native forest in the Hunter region of New South Wales – lush habitat for the Endangered Koala and many forest-dwelling species that do not currently occur within AWC’s network of sanctuaries and partnership areas.

Located on the Traditional Lands of the Worimi Nation, Gorton Forest Sanctuary is a working title and AWC is seeking to consult with the Local Aboriginal Land Council on an appropriate name.

Getting a new sanctuary of this magnitude off the ground requires diligent effort and a lot of collaboration. Keep reading for the latest update from our field team working at Gorton Forest.

“We haven’t spotted a koala in person yet… That said, the team have taken up the challenge of finding these elusive marsupials and have discovered countless fresh claw marks on trees throughout the sanctuary, so it is only a matter of time.” –  Josh Gunthrie, Senior Land Management Officer.

While on their recent Koala quest, AWC team members photographed their favourite residents, including the Spotted-Tailed Quoll, the Eastern Brown Snake, the Diamond Python, the Shingleback Lizard, as well as mesmerizing, fairytale-level fungi.

The homestead is now occupied by AWC staff, who are working hard to create a secure and comfortable living space for future science and operational staff, volunteers, interns, and visitors. They are working to build strong relationships with Traditional Owners, the Worimi people, their neighbours, the NSW Rural Fire Service, and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The team has already accomplished significant safety and procurement work and is now evaluating the most effective methods to contain weeds like blackberry and lantana. Clearing the intricate network of access trails across the forest is no easy task, but as Senior Land Management Officer Josh jokingly puts it, all the tough bushwhacking work is more than worth it to “establish a joyful abode.”