Our koala translocation program moves healthy wild, rehabilitated or captive-bred koalas to strengthen koala populations in the wild and support their long-term survival in New South Wales.
Translocations occur in 2 ways:
- Reintroduction – which aims to re-establish populations that have become locally extinct.
- Reinforcement – which aims to increase the size, health, and genetic diversity of existing populations.
The program, which is funded under the NSW Koala Strategy, is being delivered by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. The program does not involve moving koalas to reduce risks associated with new development or land clearing.
A brief history
There is a long and well-documented history of koala translocations in Australia. In Victoria, this extends back nearly 100 years and has involved tens of thousands of koalas. By the 1930s, koalas were considered extinct in South Australia. Koala populations that now live there originate from translocations from Victoria and other states.
Koala translocations in New South Wales have been less common. There are 2 recorded historical translocations conducted in the 1970s, one at Narrandera in the Riverina region and the other at Tucki Tucki in the Northern Rivers region. Both translocations were successful. The population at Narrandera is now thought to exceed 700 individuals, is chlamydia free and genetically diverse.
The first translocation under the NSW Koala Strategy was in 2023 where koalas were reintroduced at Yiraaldiya National Park on Dharug Country in Western Sydney.
Reintroduction
Koala populations have disappeared from some locations because of human-related threats, such as the koala fur trade in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and clearing of habitat. We are reintroducing koalas to these sites to:
- help overcome natural barriers, such as fragmented habitat that can prevent koalas returning to a site
- establish bridging populations between koala colonies to support migration and genetic exchange
- establish populations on conservation lands and protected areas, which provide a safe haven for them.
We only reintroduce koalas to protected areas where the threats that caused local extinction are no longer present or have been dealt with.
For example, returning koalas to large national parks in areas where they once occurred naturally means threats from dog attack or vehicle strike are now significantly reduced. Koalas may also be reintroduced to climate refuges to provide respite during severe heatwaves and drought.
Reinforcement
Reinforcing an existing population with healthy koalas helps make it stronger by increasing the number of animals and their genetic diversity. It also helps maintain population health and adaptability to threats, such as disease.
Small population sizes, isolation and inbreeding have contributed to the loss of genetic diversity in many koala populations. This loss of variation can leave a population more vulnerable to threats, such as environmental changes and diseases like chlamydia.
We work with wildlife genetics experts to understand which koala populations have lost genetic diversity and ensure that koalas brought into that population are best placed to improve genetic diversity. Translocations are done in combination with other conservation actions, such as habitat restoration, population monitoring and disease prevention, which act together to strengthen existing populations.
Translocation sites
A spatial analysis tool is used to assess site suitability for koalas. Sites are rated as high or low based on factors such as current and future environmental conditions, habitat suitability and connectivity, current and historical koala occurrence, and level of land protection.
We then carry out feasibility studies at highly rated sites to determine:
- whether koalas exist in the area
- the capacity of the site to support koalas
- local threats
- genetic diversity and disease status of existing populations.
Koalas sourced from the wild for translocation are taken from sites selected based on habitat similarity, proximity to the recipient site, population size, genetics, and disease risk.
Site selection is guided by traditional Aboriginal knowledge of koala occurrence and habitat preference, and the importance of the koala to local Aboriginal people. Translocations are carried out in consultation with local communities and Aboriginal groups with their views playing an important part in selecting sites.
Translocation process
Translocation of koalas is a complex process that requires careful consideration of the risks and conservation benefits. This includes:
- developing a translocation proposal consistent with our Translocation Operational Policy
- comprehensive ecological assessments to determine the suitability of the proposed habitat and completion of comprehensive disease risk assessments
- applying for a scientific licence
- demonstrating how animal welfare outcomes will be considered and reported throughout the translocation process. Each translocated koala needs to be closely monitored for up to 6 months to assess health and ensure they are settling into the new area. Long-term monitoring is also essential to track the health and size of the koala populations and their habitat.