Managing koalas in forestry operations

The NSW Private Native Forestry Codes of Practice (PNF Codes) contain important protections for koala habitat and populations. Understanding the PNF Codes and how the koala prescriptions apply to their forestry operations is a requirement for all landowners and harvesters.

Your responsibilities

Where a record of a koala or mapped high koala suitability habitat occurs, or where koala scats are found under a primary or secondary feed tree consistent with the PNF Code, each tree must be visually checked for koalas before being felled.

You may find koalas in a variety of tree species and forest types. It is important that landholders and harvest operators know how to search for a koala or signs of a koala before undertaking harvesting operations.

This video gives information about the presence of koalas. Learn how to do a comprehensive search for koalas before and during a forestry operation. It also details management actions you must take if you find koalas, including the requirements under the PNF Codes of Practice. 

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Video transcript

Koala Search Guide

[Music]
So, it's important for contractors and
operators to search for Koalas in every

private native forestry operation for a

number of reasons

 

Koalas form an integral

part of biodiversity within a lot of forests

It's critical that operators and contractors are aware of their presence

within the forest itself and they take into account the necessary prescriptions

within the code to ensure their protection.

 

Koalas occur in a wide range of forest

types in New South Wales and use a

number of tree species for food and shelter.

 

it is important for land holders and contractors to understand koala habitat use 

and how to search for koalas before and during forestry operations so that they can be protected

 

The New South Wales private native forestry codes of practice ensure 

that koalas and their habitat are protected during harvesting operations

 

To help private native forestry land holders and contractors in the field we have developed a koala search guide

 

[Music]

Koalas can be found in a wide range of tree species in New South Wales forests.

So, you should always assume there could be koalas present during your harvesting operation.

There are four things to remember when searching for koalas 

 

First, make sure you spend time conducting a thorough search

as koalas are very difficult to spot 

you can make sure koalas are protected by

checking each tree before felling regardless of the species or type of operation

 

[Music]

As you harvest trees and move through

the forest visibility will change

constantly scan the canopy forest floor

and surrounds don't just concentrate on the immediate tree

 

The best approach to search for Koalas

in a forest is to check from a distance

koalas are more challenging to spot when

looking from directly below as they can be hidden by foliage

 

For this reason it is often easier to

spot koalas when you're looking at the

canopy as you approach an area from a

distance

 

You should also check for signs that a

koala is present including koala scats

at the base of a tree or recent koala

scratches

 

In my experience it's very hard to spot

Koalas in their environment because of

the camouflage of the animal in the

actual trees. 

black butt is one in particular they're very hard to spot in

because of the grey coat on a koala 

 

If a koala is spotted on the work site the

foreman is notified those machines are left there until we find out where the animal is 

and then we go to another area and create a buffer if an animal is found

 

If you see a koala at any time stop any

machinery operations near the koala

establish an exclusion zone around the

tree to protect the koala 

Check your private native forestry code of practice

for the exclusion zone relevant to your

region search the exclusion zone and surrounds

 

For more information and assistance

contact your local private native

forestry officer at local Land Services

Koala care response plan

Triage

If you see a koala at any time: 

• STOP operations near the koala
• PROTECT the koala by establishing an exclusion zone around the koala. Do not attempt to move the koala
• ASSESS the koala to determine if it needs veterinary assistance
• RECORD the koala sighting in your Forest Management Plan
• SEARCH the exclusion zone and immediate area beyond the exclusion zone for any further koalas or evidence of koalas such as scats and recent scratches. 

Assessing the koala 

The koala does not need assistance if it: 

• has no visible injuries
• is moving around normally
• is the size of a small cat or bigger.

The koala does need assistance if it: 

• has weeping eyes
• has a brown stain on bottom
• is not placing weight on limb(s)
• is in poor body condition
• is displaying unusual behaviour (for example, restricted movement, unusual posture)
• is smaller than 6-week-old kitten.

Follow the koala care response plan to assist in obtaining immediate veterinary care.

This video outlines the actions for consideration to ensure the care of koalas. It includes what to do if you find an injured and unwell koala. The video goes over management actions to ensure the protection of koalas.

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Video transcript

Koala Care Response Plan

The private native forestry code of practice lists the koala as a threatened species 

so it's very important to complete a search for koalas at the start of any operation 

and throughout the operation to protect any koalas present.

 

Koalas occur in a wide range of forest types in New South Wales and use a number of tree species for food and shelter. 

If a land holder or contractor comes across a koala while undertaking a search or at any other time 

it is important to understand how to check if that koala is healthy or needs assistance.

 

The koala hospital has been in operation for almost 50 years 

and we admit and treat wild koala patients from right across New South Wales.

 

We feel the contractors have a have a moral obligation to ensure the safety of all koalas on the site where they are 

and they're a threatened species we don't want any harm to come to them or if any animal being injured in pain

 

Well the most important thing for to search for koalas is not just because it's laws 

you've got to look after koalas and other animals for the future for our grandkids

 

There are prescriptions within the New South Wales private native forestry codes of practice that ensure koalas and

the habitat are protected during harvesting operations to help private native forestry land holders and contractors meet these requirements

 

Local Land Services has developed a koala search guide and a koala care response plan

 

If you see a koala at any time stop any machinery operations near the koala.

Establish an exclusion Zone around the tree to protect that koala.

Check your private native forestry code of practice for the exclusion zone relevant to your region.

 

If the koala is the size of a small cat or bigger it does not need assistance

If you're looking at the koala and it has red inflamed looking eyes that are weeping or it has a brown stain on its

bottom it looks in poor condition or maybe it's not moving properly limping for example then that animal needs to come in for care.

 

Step one is to call for help immediately contact your nearest wildlife group such as wise or the Port Macquarie koala hospital 

Or if they're unavailable go to your nearest veterinary hospital

 

If you see a koala very low in the tree curled up in a ball or even worse curled

up in a ball on the ground it's highly likely that koala is extremely ill 

The koala needs to be picked up gently with a blanket and brought in for immediate veterinary care.

 

When you catch these koalas whether it's a the really small one or an adult

please don't go showing that that koala to anybody because it's going to be incredibly frightened

If you are able to or the local Wildlife group has instructed you to please catch the koala and take it straight in for immediate care

 

It needs to go into something like a pet pack or even a big solid cardboard box as long as there's good adequate ventilation. 

Put this animal on the back seat and get that koala to its destination as quickly as you possibly can

Operations may only resume once a thorough search has been done and you're satisfied there are no koalas in the area

 

For more information and assistance contact your local private native forestry officer at local Land Services

Caring for and transporting sick or injured koala

If a koala needs assistance, immediately call your nearest wildlife care organisation or koala hospital. Follow their guidance for the management of the koala. 

If directed to transport a koala, the following guide may assist. 

• Place a blanket over the koala.
• If available, prepare a holding container that has adequate ventilation, allows easy access to get the koala in and out and has enough space so the koala can sit up.
• Line the bottom of the container with towels or blanket.
• Move the koala into the container and place gum leaves in with it to reduce stress.
• Keep the area quiet and shaded.
• Transport the koala directly to a koala care group or veterinary hospital.
• Do not show the koala to other people as this is stressful for the animal.