NSW koala numbers higher than previously thought, but new data may not show true picture | New South Wales

The first comprehensive koala survey in New South Wales reveals the endangered marsupial’s population is higher than previously thought.

The NSW government’s statewide survey, released on Thursday, estimates there are 274,000 koalas across the state.

More than 1,000 locations were surveyed in national parks, state forests and private lands using new tools such as heat-detecting drones and acoustic recorders.

Koala numbers in NSW were previously uncertain, state says 2022 koala strategyWith estimates ranging from 15,000 to 30,000 animals.

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The updated estimate reflects more accurate technology and extensive research work, rather than an actual increase in the koala population. The surveys involved more than 6,500 km of nighttime drone flights and more than 400,000 hours of acoustic recordings during the koala breeding season. state government report.

These data were then used to model the distribution of koala population (probability of finding a koala) and koala abundance (number of koalas per hectare) across the state.

The NSW survey data added to Australia-wide figures released last month by the CSIRO’s national koala monitoring programme, which estimates there are between 729,000 and 918,000 koalas nationally.

This baseline has increased from a forecast of 287,830 koalas nationwide to 628,010 koalas in 2023; But experts say the higher estimates do not indicate an increase in koala populations.

Mathew Crowther, professor of quantitative conservation biology at the University of Sydney, was involved in reviewing the state government data before publication. He emphasized that the figures were a modeled estimate and that “people shouldn’t get too upset or excited.”

“It’s a foundation,” he said. “We should be less concerned with the number of koalas and more about what is happening to koalas – are their numbers decreasing, increasing, or are they disappearing from areas?

“And we can only do this with constant monitoring.”

Crowther said koalas were almost extinct in some areas of the state. The report says there is a “notable absence” of koalas in areas including the far west, the Pilliga region and much of the southern coast.

Tanya Pritchard, senior manager of koala recovery at World Wildlife Fund-Australia, called the new estimate “important information to have” but noted: “This does not mean koala populations are increasing. New approaches such as scanning with thermal drones and increased search efforts mean we are getting better at finding existing koalas.”

“But make no mistake, koalas have suffered a huge decline.”

The NSW government has said koalas remain endangered in the state, where the animals face risks including habitat loss and fragmentation, disease, vehicle collisions and the effects of the climate crisis.

State Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said: “This research gives us a clearer understanding of where koalas remain in NSW. It is an important tool to guide conservation decisions.”

“Koalas remain endangered and the threats they face are real. This study helps us target the right areas so future generations can continue to see koalas in the wild.”

The data comes as the Minns government progresses plans for a major koala national park that will add 176,000 hectares of forest to existing reserves to create one of the largest national parks in the state.

“It’s great to see that the former Coalition government’s NSW koala strategy still provides important information and opportunities to better protect the koala,” said the Coalition’s environment spokesman, James Griffin.

“Data from the koala monitoring program demonstrates the importance of continued investment in koala conservation and sustainable population growth across the state,” the spokesman said.

NSW Greens environment spokeswoman Sue Higginson said the estimated number of animals did not convey other important information such as population health and viability.

“What we should always focus on is the actual conservation status of koalas in NSW,” he said.

“What we know is that we are losing population, habitats are being destroyed, animals are getting sick and being killed by road attacks at unprecedented rates.”