We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Hon. Lifetime Member Monica Pimm, a true pioneer of koala conservation in the Northern Rivers. Alongside her husband, Trevor, Monica was instrumental in the establishment of Friends of the Koala in the mid-1980s. Their dedication and early development work laid the foundation for … Read more
News
Koala Chlamydia Vaccine Update – 100 doses of Koala Vaccine delivered
Friends of the Koala are proud to share an exciting update in our ongoing work with the Chlamydia vaccine research trials with Professor Peter Timms, Dr Nina Pollak and Dr Samuel Phillips from the University of Sunshine Coast. This week, our team welcomed 100 doses of Koala Chlamydia Vaccine, the world’s first approved koala Chlamydia … Read more
Koala Kindy and Care Centre Update Oct 25
It has been an incredibly difficult time for koala conservation at Friends of the Koala. Our heartbreak continues this month, as we witness the tragic consequences of peak breeding season, which, sadly, is also trauma season for our volunteers and staff at the front line. Since June, at least twenty-seven koalas have been hit by … Read more
A Historic Milestone for Wildlife Conservation in NSW
This month marks an important moment for wildlife conservation in New South Wales with the announcement of the Great Koala National Park (GKNP). Spanning 176,000 hectares of forests on Gumbaynggirr and Dunghutti Country, the park will protect an estimated 12,000 koalas, 36,000 greater gliders, and countless other species. The creation of the GKNP is one … Read more
High Koala Fatalities This Breeding Season – Please Drive with Care
It has been a heartbreaking few weeks in the Northern Rivers, with five koalas hit on the Bruxner Highway in just the last seven days. Each of these losses is a stark reminder of how fragile our local koala population is. It also highlights the need for drivers to take extra care during breeding season … Read more
Koala Kindy and Care Centre Sept 2025
We have a short update for you this month, as the Friends of the Koala team has experienced an unexpected run of heartbreak. It has been a particularly challenging period, with several koalas arriving in critical condition or having developed complications from their injuries and/or disease and, sadly, they were unable to recover. Despite every … Read more
Koala Breeding Season Risks & Rescue
By now, our regular readers will know that our beloved koalas often find themselves in precarious situations – even under the best of circumstances. In previous articles, we covered the importance of creating koala-friendly backyards including securing dogs at night. One hazard that often goes unnoticed is netting – the nylon or plastic mesh used … Read more
Koala Kindy and Care Centre August
Each year, we experience a brief period of relative quiet before the arrival of breeding season, when admissions to the Care Centre and Northern Rivers Koala Hospital traditionally increase as koalas travel further in search of mates and territories. This reduced activity gives our team a valuable opportunity to focus on ongoing treatments, operations and … Read more
Koalas: Australia’s Iconic Marsupial Facing a Fragile Future
Next month is National Threatened Species Day (September 7th) as well as Save the Koala Month, culminating in Save the Koala Day (Friday 26th September) and we think it is a great opportunity to marvel at the uniquely evolved species that is the much loved koala – a species facing ecological fragility due to habitat … Read more
National Tree Day: Restoring Habitat, Protecting Koalas
National Tree Day – Australia’s largest community tree-planting and nature-care event from Planet Ark takes place on Sunday 27th July. It is a call to action for all Australians to get their hands dirty and give back to the community! We take this opportunity to raise awareness and mobilise action to protect and enhance koala … Read more
