The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Narrandera Koala Regeneration Committee are organising the annual Narrandera Koala Count for next Sunday, 5 May.
NPWS Ranger Caitlin Headon said the count had been running for the past 30 years and each year, between 30 and 70 koalas are spotted by volunteers.
“Locals become a koala detective for the day, learning how to spot koalas using clues such as scratches and bullet-shaped droppings around the base of trees,” Ms Headon said.
She said the Narrandera Koala Count was a rare opportunity for all in the community to see koalas in their natural habitat while also helping NPWS get a snapshot of how the population was faring.
She said koalas were released into the Narrandera Nature Reserve in 1972 with the hope of re-establishing the colony.
Since then, the population has increased and spread along both sides of the Murrumbidgee River.
“The more people who take part, the more koalas we generally count – so grab some binoculars and bring the whole family for a fun day out,” Ms Headon said.
This year, the Narrandera Koala Regeneration Committee is receiving about $5,000 funding from the NSW Koala Strategy as part of a commitment to supporting local koala conservation initiatives.
The funding will help to build a scientific knowledge base about the local koala population from the information gathered during the community’s counting efforts, Ms Headon said.
The NSW Koala Strategy is a $44.7 million, three-year commitment towards securing the future of koalas in the wild.
To take part in the Koala Count, follow the signs from the Lake Talbot Canal Bridge and meet at the Narrandera Flora and Fauna Reserve at 9.30am for a 10am start.
The counting will finish around midday and the local Rotary Club will provide a BBQ lunch for volunteers for a gold coin donation.
