Understanding koalas, stress and habitat declines

Founded by the Zeno Karl Schindler Foundation and supported by the University of Queensland, a very important scientific project is underway at the Conservation Ecology Centre.

 

As koala habitat continues to decline we are continuing to work towards a a better understanding of the situation in order to contribute to future management.

Supervised by Professor Clive McAlpine and the research team at the CEC, Dr Manuelle Cottin and Research Assistant Nicole Davies will be collecting data during the next month, both at CEC and across the neighbouring woodlands, both on private land and through the Great Otway National Park. By collecting data on the condition of koalas and of their trees, researchers will be able to gain more knowledge on the diet and the stress levels of koalas in different habitats.

More news about the results of this study soon!

This year, with your help, we rediscovered endangered Tiger Quolls in the Otways and initiated the Otways Conservation Dogs Project and Humane Fox Management Program. We have embarked upon an ambitious program, investigating and addressing koala habitat decline – an issue seriously threatening koalas in Victoria. You have also helped us to rescue and rehabilitate hundreds of injured and orphaned animals so that they can be returned to the wild.
Our supporters play an incredibly important role in the work of the CEC and we deeply value your involvement and commitment to wildlife conservation. Thanks to you, we have purchased a key piece of land at Cape Otway – the first stage in creating a vital wildlife corridor. It is a very special Christmas gift for the wildlife of the Great Ocean Road!
Spoil someone special with a Great Ocean Ecolodge Gift Voucher – order now. Perhaps a piece of handmade jewellery to support Tiger Quoll conservation? See the range and place an order here. These gifts are great under the tree or can be posted easily – Gift Vouchers can even be sent electronically for super Christmas speed. Because all profits go directly to support CEC conservation programs you will be giving a gift to the wildlife at the same time!

 

Thank you for sharing 2012 with us. Warmest wishes for the festive season and a fabulous New Year!

 

Learn more about the Tiger Quoll Conservation Program and Otways Conservation Dogs

Learn more about the Koala Conservation Program

Learn more about Manna Gum Reserve

Support Australian wildlife this Christmas – make a donation

At Cape Otway on the Great Ocean Road manna gum woodlands are declining rapidly and hungry koalas gaze down from skeletons of dead and dying trees.  The local community have observed the progression with mounting alarm and are working together to address it.

The Conservation Ecology Centre, based at Cape Otway, is investigating the issue through an Australian Government Biodiversity Fund Grant.  It seems the issue is more complicated than simply the impact of koalas, but how complex is it?

Koalas are native to the region, though historically they were in lower numbers than at present, and in the 1980’s additional animals were released at Cape Otway from French Island.  The trees have been declining over the last ten years.

Due to the size of both the area and the koala population, sterilisation of koalas is unlikely to result in significant decreases in the population or improvements in the woodlands at Cape Otway.  Translocation of koalas to other areas of habitat is also problematic, with few, if any, suitable areas available and the potential to spread the problem. The cost of either approach would be huge as would be the stress to the individual koalas.  The future of the koalas and the manna gums depends instead on careful management of the habitat.

One of the greatest concerns for the future is the lack of young trees. “While the older trees are declining and dying, there are no young trees growing to replace them,” Dr Jack Pascoe, Conservation Coordinator at the Conservation Ecology Centre explains. “In the most affected areas the natural understorey of native grasses and wildflowers has been overtaken by coastal scrub, but, where seedlings have been hand planted in areas without coastal scrub these have grown into young trees which are thriving and coping with the koalas well.”

The Conservation Ecology Centre recently held a forum attended by experts from around the country including eucalypt dieback experts, koala ecologists, botanists and leaf chemists to consider these issues.   Potential causes for these issues were considered and the CEC has initiated investigations into them.

“Fire is probably a very important element in this ecosystem and it has been missing for a long time now.  This lack of burning means that coastal scrub is now expanding into areas which have traditionally been woodlands.  The grassy understorey of the woodland is being replaced by shrubs, inhibiting the trees and preventing recruitment.  Reintroducing fire to the landscape may well initiate many processes such as recruitment of young trees” said Dr Pascoe.

“Koalas favour some trees over others and understanding this may assist with helping trees to withstand koala pressure.  Eucalypts like the manna gum produce chemicals to deter animals from eating them and the CEC is working with the University of Western Sydney to study the relationship between leaf chemistry and tree health.  Improving the health of a tree could encourage it to produce more defences against koala browsing.”

“The CEC’s research team is already investigating effective ways of initiating recruitment and tree health with small contained burning efforts and the potential for simulating the effects of fire. We also plan to research the leaf chemistry of manna gums in all growth stages and under varying degrees of tree stress and decline to gain insights into the stress process and its impact on browsing pressure” explained Dr Pascoe.

“The trees are dying and we need to act quickly” said CEO Lizzie Corke, “We are collecting seed from surviving trees, planting manna gum seedlings and building resilience in the koala habitat across Cape Otway.  We are looking forward to extending this work across Manna Gum Reserve, a property the CEC is working towards purchasing with help from The R.E. Ross Trust (we still need to raise $28,000).  Research is vital for understanding the issue and we hope that our findings will guide us in combating the decline of the woodlands and effectively restoring this threatened habitat as well as assisting with managing similar issues around the country.”

We are delighted to announce that today the title for this special piece of land was transferred to the Conservation Ecology Centre.  It is the first, very exciting step in creating an important habitat corridor and a safe haven for koalas and other wildlife.

We have very nearly raised all the funds required to finalise the purchase but are not quite there yet. In view of that, we have negotiated an arrangement with our neighbours who are selling the property to pay the balance of the price to them over a period of time – we are very grateful to them for being so flexible. Until the full amount is paid, our neighbours will continue to have access to the property for their farming activities. Once the balance is paid, we will be able to commence our work to restore the habitat to transform the property into Manna Gum Reserve, providing for the safe movement of wildlife across Cape Otway.

With your help and a very generous grant from The R.E. Ross Trust we have already raised $116,185 and have just $28,815 to go! To help raise this final amount you can donate easily and securely online or call (03) 5237 9297.  We can’t wait to invite you to see the little Manna Gums growing!

Right now, koalas in Cape Otway have a reason to hope. After an incredible show of public support, the Conservation Ecology Centre (CEC) is close to raising enough funds to purchase a piece of land that will be transformed into a haven for koalas and other native animals. CEC Patron, the Hon. Steve Bracks AC, couldn’t be happier:

“This part of Australia has long been close to my heart and holds incredible potential for the future of our native wildlife. I’ve been truly inspired by the support Australians have shown for the project so far.”

The CEC, a conservation and wildlife rehabilitation centre, launched the fundraising drive in April with a visionary plan. Once the land is purchased, they will turn it into the ‘Manna Gum Reserve’ – a habitat corridor for Australian wildlife and a model for future habitat restoration.

Mr Bracks explains:

“The creation of the Manna Gum Reserve will increase natural habitat areas, augment the link between the Great Otway National Park and the Conservation Ecology Centre and enhance the Centre’s conservation work. A public walking track will also provide locals and tourists an insight into the importance of this area. With only two weeks left to secure the funds,we’re hoping Australians will continue to get behind this fantastic project.”

A generous grant from The R E Ross Trust combined with the first rush of public support has brought the CEC close to their goal of $145,000. But there is still a way to go. By June 30, another $35,000 is needed.

The Conservation Ecology Trust welcomes sponsorship and donations. Contributions to this landmark conservation effort will enable the restoration and revegetation of this
important piece of Australia and ensure it remains protected for future generations to enjoy.

With the end of the financial year fast approaching and all donations over $2 being tax deductible in Australia, now is the perfect time to lend your support.

It may seem like just another block, but a small parcel of land in Cape Otway holds a tremendous opportunity for Australian wildlife. Flanked on one side by the Great Otway National Park and on the other by the Conservation Ecology Centre (CEC), this land has the potential to become an important habitat corridor for koalas and other native animals.

With the support of their Patron, the Hon. Steve Bracks AC, the Conservation Ecology Centre is staging a drive to raise the funds necessary to finalise the purchase of the property. Thanks to a very generous grant from The R E Ross Trust, the CEC is part way there, but there is still a way to go. By June 30, another $45,000 is needed.

Donations will assist the Conservation Ecology Trust to complete the purchase of this land and create the ‘Manna Gum Reserve’. Once ownership is secured, the land will be restored, revegetated and, most importantly, remain protected.

For Australia’s iconic koalas, this is excellent news. Currently facing a range of threats, koalas are one of the main species set to benefit from the creation of the Manna Gum Reserve.

The Conservation Ecology Centre’s Co-Founder and CEO, Lizzie Corke, explains why these animals are a top priority for the centre:

“Koalas are challenged by a range of human-related factors, including habitat fragmentation, habitat decline, car accidents, dog attacks and disease. Our work focuses on restoring habitats and reconnecting populations in order to increase resilience and genetic diversity and conserve healthy, balanced ecosystems.

“Creation of the Manna Gum Reserve would enhance our work in this area and save this precious land from being overdeveloped and eroded. It will also provide an important model for habitat restoration.”

Help us secure their future

The Conservation Ecology Trust welcome sponsorship and donations. Contributions to this landmark conservation effort will assist in the restoration of an important piece of Australia.

For more information please view our Manna Gum Reserve FAQs.

Donate now

Where is the proposed purchase?

This map illustrates the existing Conservation Ecology Centre property along with the proposed purchase and its position in relation to the Great Otway National Park and the Parker River.

What is the significance of the piece of land?

The property is quite small – only 21 acres – but holds great significance in that it provides a vital link between the Conservation Ecology Centre and the Great Otway National Park. Currently, the environmental assets of the property are quite degraded and in need of critical restoration. Most of the property is cleared and there are some areas of erosion. However, the property also includes a tributary to the pristine Parker River – the only tributary outside the National Park and the CEC property. Securing ownership of the property will mean that the entire catchment of the Parker River is within the boundaries of land managed for conservation.

Where has funding come from so far?

The R E Ross Trust has very generously supported this project with a grant of $100,000. The purchase price of the property is $145,000 so we still need to raise $45,000 to finalise the purchase of the property and ensure its future.

 

What will the Conservation Ecology Centre do with the property?

Once ownership is secured it will be revegetated and restored for conservation of flora and fauna. The land will provide an important model for habitat restoration and will be used to engage the community in conservation land management techniques to improve habitat connectivity and build resilience across the landscape.

How can you get involved?

Once the property is secured, we would love you to help us with restoring it. However, right now the help we really need is financial. To join us in this important project, you can make a secure online donation. Donations of over $1000 will be acknowledged in a special Sponsors’ Path onsite and all donations of $2 or more are tax deductible in Australia.
 
Donate now