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| A koala in Iluka, December 2017 |
The Daily Examiner, 18 May 2020:
The words excited and elated aren’t often associated with the discovery of poo, but last week in Iluka they certainly were.
The devastating impact of bushfires on the koalas across the North Coast has been well documented and teams continue to scour bushland to try to assess the impact on local populations.
NSW National Parks has been at the forefront of the effort, undertaking bushfire recovery surveys with the help of local Landcare groups and volunteers.
So when Iluka Landcare volunteer Jeff Thomas found a number of koala scats at the base of red gums in the area between Iluka Bluff Rd and Iluka, he was understandably excited.
“I couldn’t wait to ring Kay Jeffery, president of the Iluka Landcare group, and tell her and the Landcare team the good news.”
The find was significant as the area had been regenerated through years of hard work by the group to clear lantana and wattle which had been planted after sand mining ceased on the peninsula.
“I was so excited when we found the scats, particularly in an area that has been restored,” Mr Thomas said.
“It’s good to see all their hard work paid off.” The discovery was aided by Max, one of NSW National Parks’ canine recruits who has been specially trained to sniff out and find koala scats.
Ms Jeffery was overjoyed to hear the news, as the Landcare veteran said it was the culmination of a vision.
“I was absolutely elated to hear that all the hard work and careful planning 24 years ago had resulted in koalas inhabiting the site,” she said....
