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https://theconversation.com/death-hotspot-we-found-145-koalas-killed-along-a-single-queensland-highway-last-year-242585>
"
Warning: this article contains graphic images some readers may find
distressing
The beloved koala is now endangered in New South Wales, Queensland and the
Australian Capital Territory. The tree-dwelling marsupial is threatened by land
clearing, loss of its favourite eucalypts, chlamydia, being preyed on by feral
animals and – last but not least – collisions with vehicles.
To arrest the steady decline of koala populations, we must focus on where these
animals are being wiped out in front of our eyes.
In Central Queensland, there’s a known koala death hotspot. The Peak Downs
Highway connects Mackay on the coast with the Bowen Basin coal mining region.
Cars and trucks travel along the highway at speed. The road is notoriously
dangerous for humans, with a death toll in the dozens. But it’s also lethal for
koalas.
How many are killed? Throughout 2023, citizen scientist and honours student
Charley Geddes and our team of scientists counted 145 otherwise healthy koalas
struck and killed along a 51 kilometre stretch of this highway. This is a huge
figure. By contrast, an average of 365 koalas are admitted to veterinary
hospitals each year after being hit by a vehicle across the entire south-east
Queensland region.
A roadkill hotspot is a problem that can be solved. In other areas, state and
territory governments have built overpasses or underpasses, usually alongside
wildlife exclusion fencing to guide the animals to safe passage. In some
instances, rope bridges have been installed high above highways.
Unfortunately, there’s very little funding to tackle roadkill hotspots in
Central Queensland. Koala conservation efforts by the state government have, to
date, focused almost exclusively on south-east Queensland. Our horrifying data
shows that must change."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
