Koalas may be an Australian icon, but they are also endangered - and as breeding season begins, they’ll be moving more often through our neighbourhoods, roads and bushland.
Conservation Status in NSW: Endangered
Commonwealth Status: Endangered
Few animals are as closely associated with the Port Macquarie Hastings region as the koala. From wild populations living throughout our forests and neighbourhoods, to the Koala Hospital and the Big Koala at Guulabaa, koalas are a much-loved part of our region.
Our local area supports one of the largest koala populations in New South Wales and has been identified as one of just 19 koala strongholds under the NSW Koala Strategy. Although koalas remain one of Australia’s most recognisable animals, they are listed as Endangered under NSW and Commonwealth legislation.
As breeding season begins, koalas become more active and travel further in search of mates, making this an important time to learn more about these iconic animals and the challenges they face.
Habitat and Diet
Koalas live in eucalypt forests and woodlands, spending most of their lives in trees. While they feed almost exclusively on eucalypt leaves, they do not eat every type of gum tree. Koalas select particular tree species for food and shelter based on factors such as leaf nutrients, moisture content and naturally occurring compounds in the leaves. This means two patches of bushland that look similar can provide very different habitat value for koalas. Our region is home to several important koala habitat corridors that allow animals to move between feeding and breeding areas. Protecting these connected habitats is critical, helping koalas find food, shelter and mates while reducing the risks associated with crossing roads and moving through urban areas.
Did you know...
Flying foxes are considered a keystone species because they help keep native forests healthy. By spreading pollen and seeds over large distances, they support forest regeneration and connectivity across the landscape. Healthy forests are essential for koalas, providing the food and habitat they need to survive. Protecting flying foxes helps protect koala habitat too. Read more about the important role flying foxes play in our environment.
Why are koalas important?
Koalas are more than just an iconic Australian species. They are considered an umbrella species, meaning that protecting koalas and the habitat they need also helps conserve many other plants and animals that share the same environment. The forests and woodlands used by koalas support a rich variety of wildlife, including birds, gliders, reptiles, insects and other native animals. By protecting and reconnecting koala habitat, we help create healthier ecosystems that benefit many species, not just koalas.
Under threat
Despite the strength of our local population, koalas continue to face significant threats. The greatest threats to koalas in the Port Macquarie Hastings region are:
- Habitat loss and fragmentation
- Vehicle strike
- Dog attacks
- Disease
Vehicle strike remains one of the most significant threats. Between January 2020 and December 2025, 218 koala vehicle incidents were reported across the region, with 118 known to have resulted in the death of the koala.
Dog attacks are another major concern. Over the past 24 years, 444 koalas have been admitted to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital following dog attacks. Many suffer severe injuries and require intensive treatment.
These threats are compounded by challenges such as drought, bushfire and disease, including chlamydia, which can have significant impacts on koala health and reproduction.
What to look out for this breeding season
Koala breeding season generally runs from August to February. During this time, koalas move more frequently and often travel beyond their usual home range in search of mates. As a result, they are more likely to cross roads, move through urban areas and appear in places where they are not normally seen.
Community observations play an important role in helping wildlife rescue services respond to koalas that may be sick, injured or in danger. Knowing the signs of a koala in distress can help ensure it receives assistance as quickly as possible.
A koala in distress does not always appear injured. Signs a koala may need assistance include:
- Sitting or hugging the base of a tree for an extended period
- Not using all four limbs when climbing or walking
- Remaining in the same tree for several days
- Appearing weak, lethargic or disoriented
If you see a koala that is sick, injured or in immediate danger, contact the 24-hour Koala Hospital Rescue Line on (02) 6584 1522.
What else can you do?
There are many simple ways to help protect koalas in our region:
- Report all koala sightings through the ‘I Spy Koala’ app to help inform environmental managers, land managers and the community about koala distribution
- Take the pledge to ‘Drive with Care, be Koala Aware’
- Keep your dog safely enclosed at night and on a load when out and about, unless in a designated off-leash area
- Make your property koala friendly by provide an escape route from backyard pools and provide a climbing route over colorbond, metal or other smooth fencing
Visit Council’s website for more tips and information about protecting koalas.
A shared responsibility
Protecting koalas relies on our community working together. With one of NSW’s most significant koala populations living in our region, the actions we take locally can make a real difference. Whether it is reporting a sighting, driving carefully in koala habitat or making our properties more wildlife friendly, small actions can help ensure koalas remain part of the Port Macquarie Hastings landscape for generations to come.
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