Authors
Daniel Lunney, Holly Cope, Indrie Sonawane, Eleanor Stalenberg, Ron Haering
Publication date
2022
Journal
Pacific Conservation Biology
Description
Context
The koala is a threatened species in New South Wales and long-term datasets of koala rehabilitation provide a valuable source of insight into local threats.
Aims
To examine the long-term trends of the cause and fate of koalas admitted for rehabilitation to assist monitoring the recovery of koala populations and provide a new outlook on the limitations and strengths of rehabilitation records for koala conservation.
Methods
We used data from long-term records (1989-2020) of the Friends of the Koala wildlife rehabilitation group in north-east New South Wales to identify spatial and temporal trends in 5051 koala admissions.
Key results
Chlamydiosis was the most common cause of admission, affecting female koalas more often than males. Admissions of female koalas with chlamydiosis showed a two-fold increase over summer, and admissions for motor vehicle collisions and unsuitable environment increased in …