KOALAS are on the move and residents are being asked to be more aware of their surroundings especially if they are in a known koala corridor.
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That's the message from Koala Hospital media co-ordinator Mike Feeney after a spike in attacks in the last week.
"We do tend to get a spike in attacks around this time of year and we point to the fact it's mating season and males are on the move," he said.
Three attacks have taken place in Port Macquarie in the last seven days - two from dogs and one with a cat - and Mr Feeney said residents in known koala habitat corridors were more likely to have dog attacks koalas.
"If residents recognise they're in a corridor we just ask them to be more aware and keep their dogs on a short leash or bring them inside of a night because that's when the koalas are most active," he said.
"Dogs are just doing what they should and protecting their territory so we just ask people if they see a koala in their yard not to approach it. Put a washing basket over it and give us a call and we'll come and move it."
He said dogs such as Staffordshire terriers were more likely to attack, but in the last week a husky had also attacked a koala.
"It's mainly the more muscular dogs, but we encourage people not to be fearful of ringing us and getting in trouble if their dog does attack. Our sole mission is to keep the koalas out of harms way."
Mr Feeney said he had been in Port Macquarie for the last few years and said from October to January were the most prevalent time for koalas to be attacked.
"Koalas can be found anywhere in Port Macquarie because we have good forest growth and good stands of trees."
He said motorists should also be aware koalas were on the move and drive accordingly.
"We just ask they're aware and we're trying to change the thinking a bit. If you see koalas on the side of the road, give them some space," he said.