The community is asked to be mindful of koalas in the Port Macquarie area.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Port Macquarie and koalas go hand in hand but the area’s koala population is on the decline.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council environmental services group manager Maria Doherty said the council was asking people to be very mindful of koalas over the holiday period.
“We need to conserve and ensure we are protecting our koalas as much as possible,” she said.
Ms Doherty urged people to look out for koalas when driving and keep their dogs on a lead when walking them.
Dog attack, car strike, habitat loss, disease and fire are among the threats to our koala population.
She said the holiday period was a time to reflect and see the beauty in the area.
“You are enjoying nature and our environment so much more,” Ms Doherty said in reference to the summer holidays.
“One of the biggest attractions for Port Macquarie is our koalas.”
The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital attracts more than 100,000 tourists a year and the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail, with its hand-painted and decorated koala sculptures dotted across the area, is also a tourism drawcard.
Port Macquarie Koala Hospital is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of koalas.
The wildlife rehabilitation facility, which cares for up to 250 koalas annually, recently celebrated its 45th birthday.
It operates a 24-hour koala rescue hotline on 6584 1522.
The council adopted a Koala Recovery Strategy in September 2018 as a roadmap which aims to reverse the koala population decline in the local government area.
What else is making news?
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.
