Project review: koala reintroduction to South East Forest National Park

In March 2025, 13 koalas from Upper Nepean State Conservation Area were translocated to the Tantawangalo area of South East Forest National Park. The translocation resulted in a number of mortalities and the program was suspended while an investigation was conducted.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) undertook a comprehensive review of the koala reintroduction to South East Forest National Park to identify which factors may have impacted project success and koala survival.

Appendices

A. Translocation proposal: koala reintroduction – South East Forest National Park (PDF 44MB)

B. Animal research authority: koala reintroduction to South East Forest National Park (PDF 1.2MB)

C. Biodiversity conservation licence issued under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (PDF 243 KB)

D. Independent Koala Expert Panel feedback and NPWS response relating to translocation proposal (PDF 186KB)

E. Post-release movement analysis (PDF 573KB)

Attachments

1. Foliar quality of koala food trees from South East Forest National Park (Western Sydney University) (PDF 706KB)

2. Summary of post-mortem findings (University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Camden, University of Sydney) (PDF 233KB)

3. Summary of veterinary clinical observations (Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital, University of Sydney) (PDF 109KB)

4. Independent reviewer report – Dr Michael Lynch (PDF 652KB)

5. Independent reviewer report – Peter Menkhorst (PDF 248KB)

6. Independent reviewer report – Roger Martin (PDF 404KB)

Response

For the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water's response to the review, see Response to the project review: koala reintroduction to South East Forest National Park.