Response of koalas (Phacolarctos cinereus) to re-intoduction to the wild after rehabilitation
Published source details Ellis W.A.H., White N.A., Kunst N.D. & Carrick F.N. (1990) Response of koalas (Phacolarctos cinereus) to re-intoduction to the wild after rehabilitation. Australian Wildlife Research, 17, 421-426.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
| Action | Category | |
|---|---|---|
Rehabilitate injured, sick or weak mammals Action Link |
Rehabilitate injured, sick or weak mammals
A study in 1988–1989 in a woodland site in Queensland, Australia (Ellis et al. 1990) found that four injured and rehabilitated koalas Phascolarctos cinereus each survived for between at least 20 days and four months after release. Two males moved 2.8 and 3.5 km and left the study area within one month. One settled 6 km from the release site (duration not stated). The other could not be relocated after last being recorded 1.4 km from the release site. Two females moved 0.9 and 1.3 km in 30 days. One female was recaptured after two months (suffering from disease). The other was recaptured after four months (due to collar-induced injuries). Four koalas, rehabilitated after minor road accident injuries, were released in September–November 1988 at adjacent localities (precise spacing not stated). Koalas were monitored daily by radio-tacking for 30 days after release, then twice weekly.
(Summarised by: Nick Littlewood)
