Recently, our team at Queensland Koala Crusaders headed into the Sunshine Coast Hinterland to test new acoustic recorder equipment in Reesville — right beside a recent koala study site by UniSC (University of the Sunshine Coast), The University of Queensland Koala Ecology Group, and Sunshine Coast Council.

These clever recorders capture the distinctive bellows and screeches of koalas, helping us detect their presence even when they can’t be seen.

By combining acoustic monitoring with on-ground evidence like scat surveys, we’re building a clearer picture of koala activity, breeding behaviour, and habitat use.

This monitoring helps us: 🌿 Track changes in koala distribution over time 📈 Identify key breeding and movement corridors 📍 Guide habitat protection and restoration efforts 💪 Strengthen long-term, science-based conservation planning Every sound captured adds valuable data to understanding how koalas are coping with challenges like land clearing, habitat fragmentation, and climate change.

This project is part of our ongoing work to integrate innovative, non-invasive technology into koala conservation.

🎙️ Video created and narrated by Jessie Maclean — Research Coordinator, Queensland Koala Crusaders 💚

Are you a landholder in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland or surrounding areas? We’re looking for properties with suitable koala habitat for upcoming monitoring projects! Whether you have remnant bushland, scattered eucalypt trees, or natural corridors, your land could play a vital role in protecting local koalas.

📩 Get in touch at [email protected] or send us a message here to learn more. Together, we can help koalas continue to thrive in the wild. 🌳💚