It takes a lot to stop traffic in Hawks Nest, but not when you’re a Princess.

Last week a bunch of admiring onlookers gathered on the Hawks Nest side of the Singing Bridge to watch a member of the local Royal family cross the road.

“Princess” is a koala well known to local wildlife carers and koala enthusiasts.

She is roughly ten years old and has a joey every second year and these days is most often seen around the Binda Street area.

Last Tuesday she made the risky decision to try and cross Kingfisher Avenue near the bridge.

Seeing her almost hit by a car, several drivers pulled over to ensure the traffic slowed sufficiently to let her go about her business.

Martin Schulz, a wildlife biologist, was among those who stopped.

“Everyone was concerned for the safety of the koala,” Martin said.

“She was on the ground and moving about and made several nerve-wracking attempts at crossing the road.”

“People were keeping their distance and alerting the oncoming cars.”

Jill Madden, President of the Myall Koala and Environment Group, told News Of The Area, “This area is a natural corridor for koalas and a real priority for action to help save our endangered koala population.”

“Only six weeks ago a mother and baby koala were killed here and near misses are not uncommon,” said Jill.

‘’I think it’s great that people stopped to help out.’’

“We have hopes for another interactive sign to warn people to slow down,’’ she added.

“While I understand it can be fretful seeing people pulled over, so long as they are safely off the road I’m pleased to see visitors and locals appreciating our koalas,” Jill said.

For Koala spotters in the area, Princess has a green ear tag.

Jill Madden is also compiling a data record of koala movements in the local area, so if you see Princess or any other koalas, please call the Hotline for Koala Sightings on 4994 0878.

By Margie TIERNEY