Koala species

[Steve Robinson]

that would be Kangaroo Island off South Australia. The population there, although very large (too large for the island's eucalyptus forests!) is descended from a small number of introduced individuals and is quite inbred. There are genetic differences from the mainland populations but this is in the area of them being less genetically diverse due to their small founder base. It doesn't have anything to do with them being a different species (or subspecies).

That is very true.

A similar situation exists along the Murray River in north-western Victoria.

I believe that they were also introduced to French Island - maybe MRJ has knowledge of the current status of this colony.

 

[jay]

I heard a report (and was seeking more info) that there is an island where some 'bears' were placed 100 yrs ago off the coast of Australia - I'm assuming they ment 'koala' - and recently genetic differences have been found between the island residents and the continent residents.

This sounds like the kangaroo Island population of South Australia. They were introduced there, I don't know about them being genetically distinct

 

[MRJ]

I believe that they were also introduced to French Island - maybe MRJ has knowledge of the current status of this colony.

Correct. Legend says 6 koalas were rowed across from the mainland by a young beau as a gift for his intended.

The colony is large and always at or beyond capacity. Over the last 70 years thousands of koalas have been translocated from French Island to mainland sites, and most colonies in Victoria are descendent from French Island koalas. Phillip Island was equally famous for koalas but the formally large colony there has declined to a handful of animals due to human activity.

There is also a similar large colony on Raymond Island in the Gippsland Lakes.

 

[Jet]

Aren't the Kangaroo Island population from French Island too? Same for Adelaide Hills population or are they from Franch Island via Kangaroo Island? (they have certainly been supplemented from Kangaroo Island in more recent years). I believe that the natural range of the koala was only as far west as the Murraylands in South Australia where they rarely exist now so most or all South Australian koalas are outside their natural range.
The genetic diversity over the southern range of koalas must be very poor (hence disease problems in Victoria) but thank goodness that the island populations were not in the fur hunter's sights or there may be no koalas south of NSW. Meanwhile as the in-breds of southern Australia are thriving the koalas in NSW and Queensland are in decline due to land clearance
Funnily enough I went to Kangaroo Island this year and was expecting koalas to be everywhere from hearing all the stories of over-population over the years but for some reason saw none ! (yet I saw echidnas, wallabies, kangaroos, seals and birdlife etc. in plenty).

 

[Monty]

The koala population must be pretty good down your way Monty.

I've been down the highway four times in the last twelve months and each time saw one or two roadkill koalas between Tocumwal and Yarroweyah.

That many usually indicates that there are a lot around.

Every time I have camped along the river one has climbed into a tree beside my tent and roared half the night. I you walk abut one km along the river you often see about 15. I have not seen any killed on they road lately myself but have seen a few killed near Tocumwal over the years. I just missed on once. A while ago my Father in Law who lives about 10km north of the river and red gum forest had one killed on the road in front of his house, so they move around a bit.

 

[Hix]

Aren't the Kangaroo Island population from French Island too? Same for Adelaide Hills population or are they from Franch Island via Kangaroo Island? (they have certainly been supplemented from Kangaroo Island in more recent years). I believe that the natural range of the koala was only as far west as the Murraylands in South Australia where they rarely exist now so most or all South Australian koalas are outside their natural range.

Funnily enough I went to Kangaroo Island this year and was expecting koalas to be everywhere from hearing all the stories of over-population over the years but for some reason saw none ! (yet I saw echidnas, wallabies, kangaroos, seals and birdlife etc. in plenty).

Prompted by a decline in Koala numbers in the SE of South Australia, eighteen adults plus some young were introduced to Flinders Chase between 1923 and 1925.

I was on the island two years ago and had no trouble seeing koalas, you just need to know how to find them. Admittedly, I saw less than on my first visit in 2007 but I attributed that to the severe fires that devastated Flinders Chase and other parts of the island in December of that year.



Hix

 

[Jet]

Thanks for that info Hix. I was wondering when they were first introduced. Unfortunately I was only on KI for a couple of days for work, but had been expecting to stumble across more koalas without having to look too hard (like the wallabies, roos etc). With the fires perhaps it has "helped" (in a sad way) to make other population control measures more successful too, but I'm sure there's still plenty. I note that m ore regular, less intense fires are needed on the Island.

 

[Hix]

If you are on the East of the island, then don't expect to see too many koalas. They're a lot more common in the west, which was where a lot of the fires were.

I remember hearing that, once the fires were out, wildlife managers in helicopters flew over some of the more innaccessible areas because with the loss of foliage they could see to hunt the feral deer.



Hix