Sandy Point’s koalas have been isolated for more than 70 years. Local conservation group Wildlife in Sandy Point (WiSP) has organised a koala survey and event every year to get a feel for how the population is coping and to raise awareness of these beloved marsupials.
This year, the event will be held on 10 January at 11am at the Sandy Point Community Centre, while the survey will include Waratah Bay and Walkerville for the first time. People who spot koalas in Sandy Point, Walkerville, Waratah Bay and the Shallow Inlet Reserve are asked to report sightings immediately so volunteers can conduct health checks. This means texting or emailing the location (address or GPS coordinates) and a photo (if possible and without disturbing the koala) to 0425 802 669 and wildlifeinsandypoint@gmail.com You can also report sighting using the CSIRO Koala Spotter app.
To further garnish interest in our local koalas, the Strzelecki Koala Action Team (SKAT) will have a 500 item strong display of koalas and other Australian fauna at the 10 January event. This collaboration with WiSP aims to highlight the special qualities of these unique regional koalas and also raise funds to continue to support their cause.
And don’t forget to bring the kids along! Children always love our WiSP events. We offer activities which include dream catcher making and other crafts, puzzles, games and colouring. Children will be asked what they know about their habits and physiology in an interactive session with photos of the koalas spotted during the survey. Our information sessions are held in the afternoon and these will include an update from WiSP Habitat and the Koala Survey results.
We will also have Sue Moore, operator of Bass Coast/South Gippsland Wildlife Rescue and Shelter, discuss fun koala facts and details about her practice in the area, as well as Ali Martin, operator of Prom Coast Wildlife Care, who will discuss wombats and their importance to the environment.
