Thanks to the donation made by the Jaliigirr Biodiversity Alliance, the small network of local volunteers are better equipped for their role at the front line of koala rescue.

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These hard-working volunteers rapidly mobilise to rescue sick and injured koalas when a call comes through to WIRES.

Four custom built koala rescue cages, two nine metre telescopic poles, eight rescue bags and two telescopic loppers were gifted to the koala rescue volunteers.

Jaliigirr project manager Justin Couper told News Of The Area, “The volunteers were very excited and happy to receive the rescue equipment.

“Receiving this specialised gear was well overdue.

“It will increase their capacity to mobilise quickly and help them immensely to get injured or sick koalas into care efficiently.”

Mr Couper said the region’s “rapidly changing landscape due to urban development, timber harvesting and agricultural pursuits” puts immense pressure on the local koala population.

“Koalas are at the frontline of our forests and are often displaced through loss of habitat leaving them vulnerable to injury and sickness,” Mr Couper said.

“Fortunately, we have a dedicated group of volunteers who are ensuring koalas are getting the help they need,” he said

Zaiga Deist, Koala Coordinator, WIRES Mid North Coast branch said, “The cages will ensure more rescue members can attend calls.

“The leaf cutters will go to our carers to assist with the daily leaf collecting of eucalyptus cuttings to feed koalas in care.

“With a large area to cover it is helpful to have multiple members equipped to do a rescue as one member may not always be available.”

Coffs Harbour has one of the largest koala populations in NSW, however their numbers are dwindling.

It is estimated that population numbers dropped by a third between 1990 and 2010, while the 2019-20 bushfires reportedly killed over 70 percent of the remaining koalas on the North Coast.

The Jaliigirr Biodiversity Alliance is currently funded by the Australian Government to work in partnership with public and private land managers, government agencies, traditional custodians and local community groups to undertake actions to assist with long term conservation outcomes for koala in the Coffs Harbour and Bellingen Areas of ‘Regional Koala Significance’.

This project received grant funding from the Australian Government Koala Community Grants: Round 1.

“We are immensely grateful to Jaliigirr for facilitating us having this extra equipment through the grant,” Zaiga said.

By Andrea FERRARI