Together, technology and tradition could save this island’s koalas
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Together, technology and tradition could save this island’s koalas

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Indigenous rangers are working to protect koalas on a Queensland island from fires, one of the biggest threats facing the marsupial residents.

The koala populations on Minjerribah, or North Stradbroke Island, are the only natural island koala populations in Australia.

They have low levels of chlamydia, a disease that has devastated koala populations across the continent.

Rangers from the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation are using drones to locate koalas, ahead of any planned cultural destruction, in the hope of protecting Minjerribah’s marsupial population.

Native Rangers

Kiah Morgan said it was important to be able to protect her country and native wildlife while participating in cultural burning practices. Source: PAA / QUENTIN JONES/THINKMAMMOTH/IMAGE PR

The drone uses thermal imaging to detect hot spots in trees that the pilot can then zoom in on, keeping enough distance to leave the creature alone while determining if it is a koala.

“We’re fireproofing the island so that when we do our cultural burns or when there are bushfires, we can better manage where the koalas are and help them be better protected,” Kiah Morgan, the Aboriginal corporation’s lead drone operator, told AAP.
Quandamooka woman Ms Morgan said it was important to be able to protect her country and native wildlife while taking part in cultural burning practices.

“It’s really special… I get to be out in the country and help with the burns and take care of the environment and the native animals,” she said.

Rangers may take precautions such as watering vegetation around trees occupied by koalas or having a water-bombing aircraft on standby in areas where there are known populations of the marsupial.

With a drone capable of covering up to 50 hectares per hour, they make searching for koalas much easier and faster than a ground search, and can improve accuracy.

Native Rangers

Fire is one of the biggest threats to koalas on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), but cultural burning and the use of drones will help preserve their population. Source: PAA / QUENTIN JONES/THINKMAMMOTH/IMAGE PR

The blend of cultural knowledge and modern technology is important to protecting and revitalizing the island’s wildlife, said the company’s chief drone pilot, Ryan Kucirek.

“For me, combining cultural fire and drone surveys of koalas is paramount,” he said.
“This helps to better protect our wildlife. And the burns bring the soil back to life.”

The $600,000 “koala fireproofing” project is a collaboration between conservation group WWF-Australia, Danish non-profit Qato Foundation and Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee.

Native Rangers

Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation is using traditional techniques and drones to keep koalas safe at Minjerribah. Source: PAA / QUENTIN JONES/THINKMAMMOTH/IMAGE PR

It’s an exciting project to be involved in for Djarra Delaney, a Quandamooka Traditional Owner who is WWF-Australia’s Indigenous Land Management Specialist.

“We want to use traditional knowledge to care for koalas while using cutting-edge technology to help them,” he said.

“Koalas are special animals to the people of Quandamooka. We have a responsibility to ensure they are happy, healthy and thriving.”

Website http://loconrepta.biz.id

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