This article relates to issues discussed and commentary found on the Australian Rural & Regional News page: Open for Debate: Koalas

Australia’s national science agency CSIRO is calling on all Aussies to record koala sightings in the Koala Spotter all, to help build the most accurate national population count to date.

Populations of the iconic marsupial were officially listed as endangered in Queensland in February 2022.

During National Science Week 2024, themed Species Survival – More Than Just Sustainability, CSIRO is encouraging families across the country to actively take part in koala conservation.

CSIRO Quantitative Biologist, Dr Andrew Hoskins, said a range of technologies and methods are needed to count koalas accurately.

“Koalas can be difficult to spot from the ground, and as they are most active at night, they often rest high in trees during the day,” Dr Hoskins said.

“To count the species, scientists have been using thermal drones to spot koalas from above, deploying acoustic recorders in the field and detection dogs, conducting scat analysis, while also carrying out systematic visual surveys and data integration from previous and historic sources.

“We need as many different eyes as possible to help paint the most accurate picture of koala numbers and distribution across the country.

“Citizen science apps are playing an increasingly important role, as they allow anybody to come out and record their sightings.”

The latest koala national population estimate according to NKMP is between 224,000 and 524,000. The next estimate is due in March 2025.

The Koala Spotter app has played a key part in the NKMP’s population count, with 730 records contributed by citizen scientists to date.

“Most of the data we’ve gotten from the app so far has come from families and children,” Dr Hoskins said.

“If you spot a koala simply record its location in the app, try and snap a photo if possible, and press ‘done’.”

To record sightings, download Koala Spotter from the App Store (Apple) or the Google Play Store (Android).

This article appeared in On Our Selection News, 15 August 2024.