Drivers warned over growing problem after grim roadside find: 'Big issue'
Conservationists are urging Australian drivers to take greater care on roads after yet another koala was struck and killed in the country's southeast.
Koala populations are dwindling across much of the country, and while Victoria's are more stable than in New South Wales, where koalas are listed as endangered, the animals still face growing pressure.
In Victoria alone, around 8,000 to 10,000 hectares of blue gum plantations are logged each year, displacing an estimated 42,500 koalas. This leads to overcrowding, increased mortality from road crossings, and vulnerability to bushfires.
Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, Anthony Amis from the environment group Friends of the Earth says road deaths are a major problem, particularly in the Strzelecki Ranges, where the koala population is highly unique.
"Koalas killed by cars is a big issue in the South Gippsland and Strzelecki region," he said, noting his team is working to identify collision hotspots in a bid to protect local colonies. "The main ones appear to centre on Meeniyan," Anthony added.
What makes South Gippsland's "special" koalas especially important is their genetic diversity, which could play a key role in the species' long-term survival.
A 2011 study found Strzelecki koalas are "genetically distinct" from other populations, and later research showed they have more genetic variation than koalas in other areas. Dr Carolyn Hogg from the University of Sydney said South Gippsland koalas have "the highest genetic diversity of all Victorian populations" and share similarities with southern NSW.
She said further analysis could uncover even more genetic differences. Dr Stephen Phillips, who has studied the region extensively, said the strongest concentration of these genes is found between Jumbuk, Churchill and Morwell.
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"I'd like to see the Strzeleckis recognised for what they are, and their potential role for the genetic recovery of koalas in Victoria," he said. "It would be lovely for the [state] government to fully recognise the uniqueness and special nature of this population, and to work as hard as they can to ensure its long-term survival."
Genetic diversity is crucial for the survival of any species because it helps populations adapt to changing environments, resist diseases, and avoid the risks of inbreeding. In the case of South Gippsland's koalas, their higher genetic diversity means they may be more resilient than other populations across Victoria and Australia.
This makes them especially valuable for conservation efforts, as they could help strengthen the overall gene pool if other populations continue to decline.
Nationwide, koala populations declined by about 30 per cent between 2018 and 2021, according to the Australian Koala Foundation. The largest drops were recorded in NSW and the ACT (41 per cent), followed by Queensland (37 per cent), South Australia (31 per cent), and Victoria (16 per cent). The 2019–2020 Black Summer bushfires were a key factor in this decline, but habitat loss, disease and road trauma continue to take a toll.
Anthony said dozens of koala road deaths are reported to his team annually in South Gippsland — but the true figure is likely much higher. "About 30 a year are reported on our Facebook group, but there's probably a lot more that are never reported," he said.
Experts warn that in areas where koala populations are relatively stable, like South Gippsland, now is the time for action. Protecting the region's roads, maintaining habitat corridors, and preserving its uniquely diverse gene pool could prove critical in the broader fight to save Australia's koalas.
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