Concerns that the major threat to koalas on the South Coast is not being acknowledged or addressed have led to a community Go Fund Me campaign to help the species survive.
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Koalas usually get all of their water from eucalyptus leaves. One outcome during periods of forest dieback, associated with dry weather and drought, is a reduction in leaf water content. The effect on koalas is dehydration and eventual death.
Campaign organisers are hoping there will be enough community support to raise $2000, enough to install 10 monitored water stations for koalas in the Mumbulla section of the Murrah Flora Reserve.
Local campaign organiser Robert Bertram said water stations have been found to be critical for koalas around Gunnedah when leaf water content reduces.
"The problem for South Coast koalas is that the causes and effects of dieback are too complex for the NSW government to understand. If enough people in the community understand that koalas need water and can chip in to help, some koalas will have a lifeline and a far greater chance of survival."
The campaign is also looking for local residents interested in managing the stations and establishing whether there is support to establish more stations in critical koala habitat to the north and south.
Further campaign details and contact information can found at the website www.gofundme.com/f/save-the-south-coast-koalas
