WELLINGTON Point man David Simpson got quite a shock when he spied a friendly face outside his front window on Wednesday morning.
A koala had made itself comfortable in a jacaranda tree in Mr Simpson’s yard.
“I'd seen a couple around in the Redlands before but to see one that close outside my door, I was dumbfounded,” he said.
“He looked quite happy up there.
“Then the kids were a bit excited and he started getting a bit nervous from all the attention.”
Koala Action Group president Debbie Pointing said it was not unusual to see koalas in trees other than their usual eucalyptus homes.
“They use non-eucalypts as shelter trees, especially when the weather is hotter,” she said.
“In urban areas especially, they rely on trees to stay cool.”
Ms Pointing said the Koala Action Group had received reports of a koala regularly sheltering in a mango tree at Cleveland Point.
“I think we underestimate the importance of these trees,” she said.
“Trees that are quite densely foliaged, like poincianas, are great hiding places for koalas.”
Mr Simpson’s unexpected visitor comes in the middle of koala breeding season, which runs from July to December.
Ms Pointing said that young males in particular were very active at this time of year.
“Often they’ve been kicked out of their old territory by a dominant male, so they are trying to find their own territory,” she said.
She warned people to keep an eye out for koalas around their homes and streets.
Residents can help keep koalas safe by:
- Looking out for them crossing roads and slow down, especially at night
- Keeping yards koala friendly – put escape devices in place to help koalas get up and over fences and out of swimming pools
- Keeping pets restrained or inside at night
- Keeping dogs on their leashes outside designated dog off-leash areas
- Leaving healthy koalas alone.
Anyone concerned about a koala’s health or safety can phone Redlands Wildlife Rescue on 3833 4031.
The Koala Action Group encourages residents to report sightings at koalagroup.asn.au or by calling 3823 5575.
