July to December is breeding season for our beautiful koalas and an urgent warning is being issued to members of the Gold Coast community to please be extra vigilant on the roads.
The Currumbin Wildlife Hospital has seen an increase in admissions for injured koalas with 197 animals admitted to the hospital in the last 4 months alone due to vehicle strikes. We are not even in peak breeding season yet. This number represents a 166% increase during the same period last year.
No doubt that number is higher as not all injured animals make it to the hospital as too often these animals are left on the side of the road after being hit until a caring motorist comes along and takes action.
Dr Pyne from the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital is asking people to take extra care and if you find injured wildlife please reach out for help immediately. This appeal applies to all our wildlife with the hospital also seeing echidnas, wallabies, and turtles which have been struck by vehicles.
We all have a place on our planet so please take extra care on the roads for the sake of our wildlife.
If you do hit an animal or come across one please seek help immediately by calling Wildcare on (07) 5527 2444 so their volunteers can advise you on how to get the best possible care for that animal.
Hot spots for animals being hit by vehicles on the Gold Coast are Simpsons Road in Elonora, Tallebudgera Connection Road and Tallebudgera Olsen Avenue Southport, and Foxwell Road in Coomera.
Gold Coast City Councillor Josh Martin said The Gold Coast City Council invests in prevention measures and works closely with organisations like the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary providing funding and working through campaigns like Look After Your Locals to get locals to slow down. They also have resources available on their website including bin stickers.
