There is an official survey being conducted under a Queensland Government community grant by the University of Queensland and Ripper Corporation Drones. Koalas are officially classified as Endangered in Queensland.
With these drone surveys, we will have the first scientific survey with real data to see the number of Koalas in Burleigh and how they move through the areas, and most importantly, where they cross the roads.
It aims to improve methods to assess koala populations using thermal imaging technology mounted on drones and to understand specific risks to koalas at Burleigh Hill. This innovative approach is complemented by ground-based methods, including placement and monitoring of wildlife camera traps by both UQ researchers and community participants.
The Ripper Drones have been flying September and will do regular surveys over the next 18 months. They are very distinctive yellow drones and are specialists in Koala surveys.
Dr. Diana Fisher – University of Queensland – lead researcher – Burleigh Koala Study
“We are aiming to find the best methods to accurately survey koalas using cameras on aerial drones, to find out how many koalas there are in patches of urban bushland such as Tallebudgera Creek Conservation Park and Burleigh Head National Park. Urban bushland in south-east Queensland can support high densities of koalas. Our first survey showed that although Burleigh Heads is one of the busiest centres on the Gold Coast, it has a particularly high population of koalas. These surveys and community participation with camera trapping can tell us where these koalas are most likely to cross roads, and where we should focus to protect them.”
The study is supported by the Queensland government under a grant titled ‘CSAKAR827 – Improving monitoring and community-led awareness for koala conservation’.
