Koalas on the Move!
Koalas are on the move between July and December. Be aware. Drive with care.
The number of koalas being injured or killed on Noosa roads is increasing each year. Most strikes occur during breeding season when koalas are on the move. Juveniles are dispersing from their mothers to find their own range while others are looking for a mate.
How you drive on the road has an impact.
Between July and December, be aware. Drive with care.
Follow us on social media as we introduce our fury friends and share information and tips to help keep you and our local wildlife safe on our roads this breeding season.
This campaign was made possible by the generous support of our Wild Koala Fund donors, Noosa Council, Sandy Bolton MP Seeds for Change grant, Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, Wildcare Noosa and Queensland Koala Crusaders.
Thanks for driving safe Noosa!
Be aware.
Anytime, anywhere.
Koalas were formally classified as Endangered in 2021 by the Australian Government. This treasured national icon is under constant threat from car strikes, habitat loss, dog attacks and disease.
Noosa Shire accounts for 49% of koala vehicle strikes across the Gympie, Sunshine Coast and Noosa region. Significant locations include the Bruce Highway at Pomona, Cooroy and Federal, McKinnon Drive and Cooroy-Noosa Road.
Sadly, only 21% of koalas involved in hits are able to be rehabilitated and released.
Koalas can be on the move anytime, anywhere.
That’s why we’re asking you to be aware and drive with care this breeding season.
If you see a sick or injured animal…
If you see an injured animal by the side of the road, call it in!
Call the Wildcare Noosa 24-hr Emergency Rescue Hotline on 5527 2444.
Stay with the animal until help arrives, if it’s safe to do so.
Your safety is important.
Be aware and act!
The Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation has launched a Koalas on the Move! campaign to help curb koala vehicle strikes in the Noosa Shire. Help us be a koala-aware community. Here’s what you can do:
- The number of koalas being hit, injured or killed on Noosa roads is increasing each year.
- Noosa Shire accounts for 49% of all koala road trauma incidents across the Sunshine Coast to Gympie region.
- More than 85% of koalas hit by a car die. (Dept of EHP)
- Between July to December is breeding and dispersal season. Koalas are on the move searching for a mate, while juveniles are dispersing from their mothers.
- Be koala aware when driving – particularly at dawn and dusk, when koalas can be difficult to be seen.
- Look out for our road signage in ‘koala zones’ – koalas are near! Slow down and be cautious, there’s increased koala activity in the area.
- If you see an injured koala or animal by the roadside, call it in! Call the Noosa Wildcare 24-hr Emergency Rescue Hotline on 5527 2444. Don’t try to help. Wait for help to arrive if it’s safe to do so, your safety is important.
- Talk to family and friends about koala breeding season. Help us become a koala-aware community.
- Follow our Koalas on the Move campaign on social media and share our poster with your friends.
Download the Koalas on the Move campaign poster and display it in your business or school.
Working for koalas
Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation
Queensland Koala Crusaders
Wildcare Australia – Noosa
Tourism Noosa
Noosa Council
Queensland Government
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) values the conservation and protection of native fauna across Queensland including iconic koalas. To do this, TMR works with key stakeholders to support and deliver koala protection treatments and initiatives on road corridors to help mitigate koala-vehicle collisions. TMR also encourages drivers to be aware that koalas are more active during breeding season and for the community to report any sick or injured koalas to RSPCA Queensland’s 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625), or Wildcare Australia’s 5527 2444 in South-east Queensland.
