The annual koala feed tree delivery continues a longstanding relationship between Forestry Corporation and the prominent wildlife rehabilitation organisation, which saves and cares for injured koalas across the region.

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Forestry Corporation’s Partnerships Leader for the Hunter and Central Coast, Alex Capararo said the seedling delivery consists of key koala feed tree species including forest red gum and swamp mahogany.

“Forestry Corporation is pleased to have supported the Port Stephens Koala Hospital given the important wildlife rescue and rehabilitation work that staff and volunteers do in assisting local koala populations,” he said.

“Almost 250,000 seedlings have been donated by Forestry Corporation to conservation and wildlife groups over the past four years to support koala hospitals and community koala habitat planting programs across NSW.

“Koala populations are carefully monitored by our ecologists in state forests, which serve as important breeding grounds where koala populations can thrive.

“We work closely with koala hospitals to release and rehome koalas into state forests after they have been rehabilitated in care after car strikes, disease and predator attacks.

“The important work of the Koala Hospital is preserving the health of koalas across the Port Stephens region, and we couldn’t be happier to help out in donating feed trees.”

The Port Stephens Koala Hospital is currently undergoing a $2 million extension to its hospital facilities, which includes the addition of a new CT scanner to increase diagnostic and treatment capacity.

President of the Port Stephens Koala Hospital, Ron Land said the seedlings would need three to four years of growth from planting to leaf harvest for the koalas.

Mr Land said the provision of koala feed trees from Forestry Corporation is essential in expanding the hospital’s carrying capacity.

“At PSKH we have a carrying capacity of 40 animals, with an average of 30 koalas under care at any given time,” he said.

“Each koala needs approximately 1000 trees, so the donation from Forestry Corporation is very welcome.”

Half of the trees donated will be planted directly into a plantation area managed by the PSKH, while the other half will be potted and grown for future planting.

The seedlings were grown at Forestry Corporation’s Grafton nursery, which last year produced more than three-million seedlings for replanting programs in the state’s hardwood and softwood timber plantations.

Find out more about Forestry Corporation’s community partnerships, ecology work and forest replanting programs at www.forestrycorporation.com.au