ANU researchers say new growth offers new hope for koalas surviving inburnt habitats. Now this important breakthrough has been given vital backingwith funding from Minderoo Foundation.
The survival chances of koalas reintroduced to bushfire ravaged landscapeshave been given a major boost thanks to a generous $257,000 donation fromMinderoo Foundation.The partnership with Minderoo Foundation will assistresearchers at The Australian National University (ANU) examine how koalasrecover after fire and how fire impacts their habitat, including if theirdietary needs can be met.The funding forms part of Minderoo Foundation FireFund’s $50 million Wildfire and Disaster Resilience Program, which aims tobuild an evidence base for interventions for the survival of Australia’streasured wildlife in post-bushfire landscapes.
ANU researcher, Dr Kara Youngentob, said the project would help determine whenkoalas in care could be returned to their habitats.
“This work will help us achieve the best welfare outcomes for koalas as theyare returned to burnt landscapes,” Dr Youngentob said.
“We will examine how fire affects the nutritional quality of koala habitatsand eucalypt trees after a fire. Our research is critical for the developmentof strategies that minimise bushfire impacts on wildlife.
ANU researchers say new growth offers new hope for koalas surviving inburnt habitats. Now this important breakthrough has been given vital backingwith funding from Minderoo Foundation.
The survival chances of koalas reintroduced to bushfire ravaged landscapeshave been given a major boost thanks to a generous $257,000 donation fromMinderoo Foundation.The partnership with Minderoo Foundation will assistresearchers at The Australian National University (ANU) examine how koalasrecover after fire and how fire impacts their habitat, including if theirdietary needs can be met.The funding forms part of Minderoo Foundation FireFund’s $50 million Wildfire and Disaster Resilience Program, which aims tobuild an evidence base for interventions for the survival of Australia’streasured wildlife in post-bushfire landscapes.
ANU researcher, Dr Kara Youngentob, said the project would help determine whenkoalas in care could be returned to their habitats.
“This work will help us achieve the best welfare outcomes for koalas as theyare returned to burnt landscapes,” Dr Youngentob said.
“We will examine how fire affects the nutritional quality of koala habitatsand eucalypt trees after a fire. Our research is critical for the developmentof strategies that minimise bushfire impacts on wildlife.
“What’s also really touching is that this donation from the Two ThumbsWildlife Trust has been made in the memory of Ian McBeth, Paul Hudson and RickDeMorgan Jr – who were killed on a firebombing operation when their C-130Large Air Tanker hit the ground after dropping fire retardant on Two ThumbsWildlife Trust’s koala sanctuary at Peak View, New South Wales in January.
“We are really excited that Minderoo Foundation are now also joining theseefforts and hold great hope for the future.”
Minderoo Foundation Fire Fund CEO, Adrian Turner, said: “Of all the images wesaw from the bushfire season, injured and suffering koalas came to representthe terrible toll on Australian wildlife through loss of life, injury andhabitat. Some estimate that as many as one billion animals lost their life inthe fires.
“Dr Ford and her team are working hard to make sure the surviving animals havethe best chance at success when they are released. That information is helpingkoalas right now, but also builds our knowledge for long term resilience ofour unique Australian wildlife and will improve the response to any futuredisasters.”
In addition to examining koalas’ diets, the ANU researchers will track thefate of koalas from fire-affected areas and those that were not taken intocare in nearby burnt and unburnt areas. In addition, they will investigate apotential rapid method to provide useful koala heath information from theirdroppings.
The research is also supported by the NSW Government Department of Planning,Industry and Environment under the NSW Koala Strategy and the AustralianGovernment Wildlife and Habitat Bushfire Recovery Program.
Image: (credit James Walsh/ANU)
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