KOALA rescue groups are calling on motorists to slow down following one of the worst starts to what they call “trauma season”.
Four koalas have been killed on Redlands and Bayside roads in the past month.
A further three are being treated after being hit by cars in the area.
July was the start of mating season for koalas, when males venture further out of their usual territory looking for mates.
Chandler-based Queensland Koala Society Co-founder Angela Christodoulou said koalas were currently not only crossing roads at all times of the day, but were found in unusual places, around pools, on balconies and in car parks.
She warned motorists to slow down, especially around dusk and through the night, and for dog owners to keep their pets inside at night.
The koalas killed recently were hit by cars at Donnington St, Carindale; Creek Rd, Carindale; corner Haig Rd and Collingwood Rd, Birkdale; and Mcdonald Rd, Alexandra Hills.
Two more koalas, both with joeys, were rescued recently at Birkdale after several near misses at the intersection of Birkdale and Old Cleveland roads and Old Cleveland Rd East.
Koala Rescue Redlands and Surrounds President Jen Louw said some motorists appeared to be ignoring warning signs and advice on koala habitat.
“The frustrating thing is it is a driver behaviour issue,” she said.
“Some of these areas – they are getting hit in multiple times, Council has signs, they have road awareness signs, they have lower speed limits, they’ve got flashing signs, warnings painted on the roads, and they are still getting hit.”
Koala Rescue Redlands and Surrounds was established at the start of the year to expand the services offered as the need for koala rescue escalates.
“I started this group to do more with education and public engagement, and we have the ability for our group to climb trees and to service areas just outside the Council’s border,” Ms Louw said.
“The biggest thing for us is we need the public to embrace the koalas, to change the driving behaviour, to look up for koalas in trees – because if the public spot them and notice they are sick because we have empowered them with the knowledge to know what that looks like, then they will call us and we have the opportunity to rescue and rehabilitate that koala.
“If we don’t have that community engagement and that interest, we are not going to be able to achieve our goals.”
