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Once again,with their usual devotion,the DSE descended on us to continue their management of our koala population . View some photos taken by Rose Nutall and as supplied by the DSE.

October 2010

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media release by DSE
 
       Health and family planning for Raymond Island koalas
 
Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and Parks Victoria wildlife and biodiversity staff led another successful koala translocation and sterilisation program on Raymond Island last week.

Theywere assisted by veterinarians and vet nurses from Melbourne Zoo and Main Street Veterinary Clinic in Bairnsdale, the Raymond Island Community Association, Raymond Island Koala Shelter, students from Forestech and Landcare volunteers.

DSE Biodiversity Officer, Leona Waldegrave-Knight said this is part of an ongoing program to reach and maintain a healthy and sustainable population of koalas on the island.

“Over the three days of the program we captured a total of 148 koalas, most being released back on the island if they did not meet the criteria for relocation or were sterilised during the three days. All koalas are tagged and given a health check on age, state of teeth and eyes, weight and general condition,” she said.
 
“Those that were sterilised in this program (hormone implants for the females and vasectomies for the males), were released back on the island.”
 
“Any healthy koalas captured that had been sterilised in previous programs were translocated to the foothills north of Bairnsdale to relieve the growing pressure on food sources on the island.”
 
With so much help and expertise on hand, the program ran smoothly, with minimal stress for either the koalas or the operators.
 “It’s been terrific to have assistance from so many people and we’d like to thank them all for being part of the program to make sure the koalas can live healthily and happily on Raymond Island,” Ms Waldegrave-Knight said.
 
A total of 33 koalas were translocated, leaving an estimated population on Raymond Island of between 250 and 280.
 
Based on other healthy populations and the amount of available vegetation, the capacity of Raymond Island should be no more than 50 to 80 koala
 
Photos from top to bottom :
DSE Biodiversity Officer, Leona Waldegrave-Knight and Melbourne University student, Josh Crouch check teeth
Melbourne Zoo vet nurse, Jenny Kingston prepares a koala for sterilisation

 Shelley Robinson and Mary Dharmarajah, volunteers from the Raymond Island Koala Shelter, caring for a recovering koala
Rachel Dawkins | Regional Communications Adviser | Department of Sustainability and Environment T: 03 5147 0864 | M: 0407 821 153 | E: rachel.dawkins@dse.vic.gov.au
www.dse.vic.gov.au | www.youtube.com/DSEVictoria | Follow us on Twitter: @DSE_Vic

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