Koala Guardians citizen science in the Noosa Biosphere

Despite their cultural and ecological significance, koalas continue to face increasing threats from habitat loss, disease and urban expansion. In 2022, the Australian icon were listed as endangered, given only a 20 percent chance of survival in the wild. There is an urgent need to find new ways to protect our endangered koalas. 

The Koala Guardians project is a collaborative program led by University of the Sunshine Coast, bringing together experts from CSIRO, Griffith University, Friends of the Koala, Koala Conservation Australia, and others. With funding secured in late 2024, the program supports innovation in detection, monitoring, and community education across South East Queensland, including our three UNESCO-designated biosphere reserves.

Through citizen science, community can play a major role in helping to identify which koalas and populations are becoming unwell or in decline, so we can know when and where they need help. 

The project team is co-designing a solar-powered bluetooth ear tag and mobile app, with help from CSIRO and the local community. The technology aims to empower residents to safely report sightings, injuries and illness while changing behaviours to improve safety for koalas.

The long-lasting ear tags can be routinely deployed for those koalas leaving wildlife hospitals. The bluetooth signal can be received and linked to a custom built mobile app. Ultimately, koalas released from wildlife hospitals or care can be identified and recorded in the wild by members of the community, which gives highly valuable feedback and data about these individuals. 

Further, the community learns more about their local koalas and also signs of disease, which will improve overall conservation outcomes for our local koala populations. 

The program is targeting a sustainable rollout by 2028. Regular working group and partner meetings provide the opportunity for ongoing collaboration with the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation, including potential alignment with tree planting and habitat restoration projects.

By combining cutting-edge science with on-the-ground community involvement, Koala Guardians is helping to shape a safer, smarter future for one of Australia’s most vulnerable species.

For more information, visit www.noosabiosphere.org.au/projects.