Annual koala health check

Helping keep Koalas and their habitat healthy... 

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and Parks Victoria led another successful Koala health assessment and sterilisation program on Raymond Island last week. 

DELWP Wildlife Officer Leona Waldegrave-Knight said: “We  were assisted by vets from the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) and the Main Street Veterinary Clinic in Bairnsdale, the Raymond Island Koala and Wildlife Shelter, and many local volunteers. This is part of an ongoing program to reach and maintain a healthy and sustainable population of Koalas on the island,” Ms Waldegrave-Knight  said. 

 “Over the three days of the program we captured a total of 90 adult Koalas and eight young. All Koalas caught are tagged with a numbered purple ear tag. The Koalas were given a health check that involved looking at teeth wear, weight and general condition and also looking for symptoms of disease or injury. About half of the Koalas had been caught in previous years, providing us with information on their ongoing health. We also sterilised a number of animals to help control population growth; what we are finding is that the females that don’t have to carry young are doing better in their general health.” 

“Some private landholders on the island helped by giving us permission to catch on their properties, which was critical in catching animals not previously caught more animals, so we were grateful for that assistance. The team work was a big aspect of this operation and it’s been terrific to have assistance from so many people. We’d like to thank them all for being part of the program to make sure the Koalas can continue to live healthily and happily on Raymond Island.” 

Vet Jo Cunningham and Shelter operator Susie Pulis checking teeth