They are part of a large, dedicated group of volunteers who conduct koala surveys in Bongil Bongil National Park for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

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Over five nights, groups cover five areas in the park listening for responses to a recorded koala call.

They record any responses they hear, along with any sightings.

Sightings of other notable animals, such as gliders, are also recorded.

The 2024 season concluded in October on a night the rain became so heavy that two teams halted midway due to safety concerns.

This was the second significant rain disruption to the usual dry spring survey program in 2024, and was in marked contrast to all previous years.

Both visibility and hearing on two other survey nights were seriously impacted by inclement weather.

However, despite the unfavourable conditions, happy volunteers kept turning up and the results from this year’s survey season were encouraging, with a total of 34 koala records (31 heard and three seen) made during the 25 surveys.

Mr Scott said, “I enjoy adding a bit of citizen science to help the koala population”.

“The surveys indicate that the Great Koala National Park should go ahead and the politicians should get their act together.

“It’s been a great bunch of people to work with over the years.”

While koalas seen were at record low levels, two of the three were either joeys or young juveniles and another animal heard was recognised by an experienced WIRES koala carer volunteer as the “yip” of a juvenile.

Other interesting wildlife encountered during the surveys were Masked Owls and many Great Barred Frogs – not surprising given the wet conditions.

These results confirm that breeding activity within the primary koala habitat of Bongil Bongil National Park continues.

No visibly diseased or injured koalas were observed during this year’s program.

Koalas were recorded on all transect lines spread right across the national park indicating the whole of the park’s 4300ha of forest provides valuable habitat for the park’s significant koala population.

This indicates that the population trend over time remains positive and upward, providing scientifically valid data that the park’s koala population is growing.

It shows the park is home to a widespread breeding population of koalas which is distributed right across the national park, from Tuckers Rocks in the east to Gordons Road on the northwest fringe.

The data provides evidence that the park’s habitat is being well managed for this species through effective reduction of all major threatening processes.

This citizen science program contributed 176 volunteer nights, approximately 600 hours of volunteer work, and generated valuable information that substantially increases the NPWS’s knowledge of one of the most important and permanently protected wild koala populations in the world.

NPWS Ranger, Martin Smith, said, “We are grateful to all our dedicated volunteers who took part in this year’s five-night Bongil Bongil National Park Community Koala Survey, despite two nights of heavy rain.

“Each year the work of these wonderful volunteers adds significantly to our knowledge base about these koalas, where they live, what they are eating and how the population is trending, which guides our ongoing management of this important population.

Anyone interested in participating in next year’s surveys is welcome to email NPWS at npws.coffscoast@environment.nsw.gov.au to register their interest.

By Andrew VIVIAN