This week and next the “boys”, Mitch, Derek and Dave will be visiting Little Oakey, our property that was burnt severely in 2019, just after it was bequeathed to the AKF. Derek, who is now Dr. Johnson after an incredible commitment to Koalas has now been awarded his PhD after visiting Little Oakey 15 times to analyse how the bush is recovering.
This trip will be about going further afield into the National Park that surrounds our piece of paradise to see if Koalas have either returned to Little Oakey or have moved into the National Park that surrounds us.
We do know that just after the fires that several Koalas were removed from Little Oakey and we have no idea whether they were returned, which is shocking when you think about it.
Who took them and did they ever return is the key question and it says to me as always, that with so many different organisations being involved and governments allowing Koalas to be moved willy nilly, that we will probably never know the answer to those questions. It infuriates me.
Hospital after hospital are now being funded by governments wanting to make it look like all is OK.
I will remind everyone again, that for every 100 animals that go into a hospital, no more than 30 of them go back out.
This is a complete curve to extinction.
You must also understand that I admire those that work in these places for their incredible work and it is no reflection on their care of this beautiful icon of Australia. Many other animals also get a second chance in these places.
But, and it is a huge but, why are we not making sure that the trees do not go down in the first place?
Why, given the Koala is listed as Endangered isn’t that just a matter of urgency and should be law. Why are developments still approved in key koala habitats?
I am proud that AKF is committed to protecting wild habitats and that we want better laws.
The Koala Protection Act.
My determination is greater than ever and with the world in absolute chaos, partly because of a lack of values and a might over right mentality, we, as good citizens of the planet must call our political leaders to account and expect them to take their role as Koala protectors seriously.
Minister Murray Watt – where did those Koalas go? Minister Powell – where did they go? You both should know.
