Koala News

with Lorraine Vass

Dogs and koalas

For weeks now Friends of the Koalas has been responding to numerous calls regarding koalas in potentially dangerous locations. Most callers mention their concern about nearby dogs. One koala managed to strand herself on the roof of a boarding kennel. The dogs were frantic, although thankfully contained and the terrified koala was brought into care for observation. It is the same every year as we come into the breeding season.

Koalas are on the move, often involuntarily, as the mating imperative takes hold. No dominant male will tolerate competition in his territory so the animals at most risk are more likely to be young males.

Although there have been very recent breakthroughs in the surgical treatment of dog attacks on koalas, in our locality a dog bite almost certainly means death for a koala. FOK's records show that more than 80% of koalas attacked by dogs die.

Lismore Council's Draft Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management, which is presently on public exhibition, proposes covenants to preclude dogs in new urban subdivisions in koala habitats. It also calls for prosecutions of owners of dogs dangerous to koalas and signposting of urban koala habitats to alert dog owners of restriction of entry and advise them of penalties for contravention and the nearest leash-free area.

Fundamental to successful dog management in the Lismore vicinity areas will be Council's capacity to direct additional resources to patrolling areas where dogs are known to be a threat to koalas. Night patrols, especially during the breeding season, are called for but subject to Council sourcing external funding.

The Plan also calls for the continuation of educative and awareness programs focussing on responsible dog ownership. So here are a few koala friendly tips for you and your dog:

Constrain dogs at night. Most dog attacks occur when koalas venture into a dog's backyard. But, is it the dogs? The koala is moving through its own territory too!

Koalas are most vulnerable when they come to the ground to move from one tree to another. If you know there is a koala in your yard and you have a dog you will greatly diminish any threat to the koala's safety by keeping your dog inside or on a leash to allow the koala to come to the ground safely.

If you are walking through a koala area, keep your dog on a lead.

Be mindful that:

• Most dogs react to the sight of a koala in 'their' yard and will instinctively attack.

• Even a quick bite is enough to kill a koala. Their skin is very pliable and internal organs are easily punctured.

• Koalas are mostly active at night so by restraining your dog at night many attacks can be avoided. Dogs have all day to play - koalas are out and about at night.

• Dogs soon enjoy the routine of being 'tucked in' every night and so will neighbours who won't be disturbed by barking.

• Unrestrained dogs can easily be baited or distracted. If you live on a property, your dog is much safer up at the house where you can be guarded best.

• Even if you have a fence and no trees, koalas may still come into your yard. Koalas can climb most fences and often have to cross yards to reach nearby food trees.

• Many koalas in our locality can no longer rely on areas of diminishing remnant bushland. Suburban gardens are now an essential part of their territory.

We all love our dogs but koalas do not live in our backyards. We live in theirs.

You can see the draft Plan at Council's Goonellabah and CBD offices, or it can be downloaded from the Council website at www.lismore.gov.au Submissions will be received until October 31.

If you see a koala at risk, please call the Friends of the Koala Rescue and Information line on 6622 1233.