A KOALA hit by a car this week on Karrabin Rosewood Road is a reminder the marsupials are on the move because it’s mating season.
Local wildlife carer, Kirsty Lax, said a doe and her joey were hit by a car in the same spot on Karrabin Rosewood Road, six months ago.
Koala mating season starts in August and it’s when male koalas or bucks, become more active.
“There’s also a new [housing] estate in Thagoona that’s been built on a koala habitat,” she said.
“Thirty years ago, when some of these developments were on the table koalas were not endangered, now that they are, those developments are still going ahead.
“I think a lot of laws need to be changed and revisited.”
According to the Australian Koala Foundation, koalas were listed as vulnerable in 2012. Ten years later, their status was changed to endangered.
“We also had a young female hit on Forest Hill Fernvale Road just before you go into Lowood,” Kirsty said.
“She was hit on a corner and you can’t speed on that corner.
“I just wish people would slow down and pay more attention and that council would stop cutting down trees.”
The Queensland Government describe male koalas as having a unique mating call that sounds like a deep, guttural bellow or snore.
During mating season, the animals will be coming down from their resting places in eucalypts, crossing roads, going into paddocks and backyards.
While sighting one is exciting because they are so seldom seen, a koala crossing the road can be unexpected to the motorist.
And as development increases, the vulnerability of koalas increases.
The RSPCA Wildlife Hospital in Wacol has reported a spike in injured koalas this year, already.
In July alone, 49 koalas were admitted to the Wildlife hospital.
The hospital’s veterinary teams treated koalas from Beaudesert, Logan, Mt Gravatt, Moreton Bay and Strathpine, in just one week.
Not every wildlife carer is allowed to rescue and treat the small marsupials.
They are endangered and need specialised care when injured or sick.
Those trained in koala care know how to protect themselves from the animal’s teeth and claw, while preventing further injury to the koala.
What to do if you find an injured koala on the road
• If you are on a highway, contact Main Roads on 131 940
• If you are on other roads, call the RSPCA’s 1300 ANIMAL (264 625) from 7am to 7pm daily or your local wildlife rescue group.
