Koala

October 16, 2011

Out walking today with my dog on our bush block near Chinaman Creek, North Muckleford when he suddenly dashed into the bush a few metres. Almost before I had registered what was happening I saw a koala bound up the nearest tree and narrowly escape his frantic attention.

I put the dog on the lead, returned to the house to get my camera and managed to get a couple of photographs.They are not very revealing because it had climbed to the very top of the tree, but they are some proof if needed. One is posted below.

I have come across koalas in this part of the property several times in the last few years and the sitings are usually singular. There has on each occasion been a lone animal and in the days and weeks following I don’t see them again, although I concede that they are hard to spot in the trees at any time.

Is it possible that the property is part of a regular migration route? If that is the case, where are they likely to coming from and going to? Could it be a seasonal phenomenon? Have other people in the area spotted koalas from time to time and at any particular time of the year? Some advice on these issues would be appreciated.

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5 responses to “Koala”

Lisa Hall

October 18, 2011

I have had one koala sighting on my block in McKenzies Hill a few years ago, can’t remember what time of year it was. I did note how hard it is to see them and think that they are probably present more often than we notice. Knowing we had a koala up the tree I sent a number of people to go and look and 50 % of them couldn’t find it without assistance! Lisa Hall

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Paul Hampton

October 18, 2011

Thanks for your comment Lisa. I am wondering whether we actually have some here permanently but just don’t notice them. Because I don’t normally expect to see them, I don’t get into the habit of looking up into the trees. A number of sightings over several years may indicate that we have residents. That would be special.

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David Griffiths

October 26, 2011

Yeah, i had one up a grey box 2 days ago just in the yard,could have been the same one that was at Pauls, who knows. They need a variety of species to feed on on due to toxicity of eucs so they do get around.You can see em but due to the lack of activity are hard to notice except for that gutteral growling they make.

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doug ralph

November 3, 2011

I have had regular sightings at my place south of Castlemaine[about one per year],but do hear them calling in spring and see droppings on the ground so there could be more.Most of the sightings have been close to the ground.I have realised that when walking in the bush you don’t often look up.

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Chris Johnston

November 4, 2011

How exciting to see the koala. I have had one at my place int Green Gully about 3-4 years ago – up in a big old grey box – stayed a day or two. Others here also see them but very very occasionally. Only noticed it because of the grunting – though a pig had moved in overnight at first.

Chris

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