On October15, Southern New England Landcare hosted a Koala Trap Training course. It was held at the Armidale Tree Group for WIRES volunteers and Northern Tablelands Wildlife Carers.
The course was delivered by John Lemon, who showed 14 carers how to set up a trap to capture koalas in a way that reduces stress for the animal. This method is used for when koalas have been found to be sick or injured and are high in a tree. These carers are part of the integrated Northern Tableland Koala Partnership who will be helping rescue and care for our local koala population.
Chlamydia is the most common infectious disease in koalas and can cause eye or urinary and reproductive disease. If left untreated, koalas can go blind, become infertile, develop kidney disease, and experience other complications.
Therefore, it is essential that koalas who are found with signs of chlamydia (red eyes, and wet, ‘dirty’ bottom), are captured, and brought into care for treatment. If you see a koala, please let us know and report all sightings to the I Spy Koala App or via the Armidale Regional Council website.
If you think the koala is showing signs of disease or is injured, please contact your local wildlife rescue group.
• Northern Tablelands Wildlife Carers: phone 1800 008 290
• WIRES: phone 1300 094 737
