'They all touch our hearts': Concerns raised for koalas killed in Queensland's 'triangle of death'

Yahoo News Australia

14 July 2019 at 2:26 am

Koalas are being killed in epidemic numbers in an area of bushland labelled the “triangle of death” due to the fatal threat of urban development.

More than double the number of koalas compared to the previous financial year have been killed this year inside the zone, which stretches from the eastern Brisbane suburb of Cannon Hill, south to Mount Gravatt and east to Carindale.

A shocking 96 koalas have been seriously injured and required treatment at Brisbane’s RSPCA from incidents predominantly related to vehicles and dogs, ABC News reports.

The horror was only expected to worsen as the threatened species entered its mating season, which often sees males thrust into danger by their more dominant counterparts.

Photo of koala amid epidemic numbers being killed inside Brisbane "triangle of death". — Koalas are being killed at nearly double the rate as last year. Source: File/Getty Images

Laws currently state once rehabilitated following an injury, koalas must be released to the same area they were collected.

This means those injured on the outskirts of the “triangle of death” have no option to be placed right back into harm’s way.

RSPCA chief executive Mark Townend was hopeful a State Government law change in coming months would allow for koalas to be released five kilometres from where they were rescued.

Sheila Collecott from the RSPCA said the number of injured koalas being reported was highly distressing, especially for the rescuers.

"A rescuer can get here with a koala and we can be sending them out on another call in a matter of an hour to that same location," Ms Collecot said.

Photo of koala as cars and dog attacks are found to be most commonly the cause of their death in Brisbane. — Cars and dog attacks most commonly left the threatened species requiring hospitalisation. Source: File/Getty Images

"It's not uncommon to have one break down in tears. They all touch our hearts."

There were 690 hospitalisations at the Brisbane Wacol RSPCA in the 2018-2019 period, with 153 hit by car, 53 attacked by a dog, and 96 found in the “triangle of death”.

Koalas can sustain significant internal injuries and still be able to climb a tree due to its adrenaline, RSPCA wildlife hospital manager Lee Pirini said.

If a member of the public spots a koala on the ground or appearing to be injured, they should call 1300ANIMAL immediately.

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