The Macedon Ranges is a beautiful area, with its steep forests and dramatic landscapes providing a home for a wide range of native animals. Among them are our iconic koalas.
While Victoria is fortunate to have a large and widespread koala population, they can be difficult to spot. But if you’re lucky enough to see one, it’s important to know how to act to ensure both your safety and theirs. This guide will help you understand koala behaviour and what to do if you encounter a sick koala in the Macedon Ranges.
Spotting Koalas: A Matter of Habitat and Timing
Koalas are often hard to find due to their ability to blend in with their surroundings, but knowing their preferred habitats can increase your chances. Koalas have a specialized diet of eucalyptus leaves and require plenty of healthy, mature trees for food and shelter. Within the Macedon area, they have been observed in forests that contain Manna Gums and Snow Gums. The Macedon Ranges Shire is home to a wide variety of habitat types, including wet and dry forests that are full of eucalypts, wattles, and other native trees.
When looking for koalas, keep your eyes peeled for them tucked against a tree trunk or high in the canopy. The best times to spot them are at dawn and dusk when they are most likely to be moving between trees.
Signs of a Koala in Distress
While a koala sitting low in a tree or on the ground may be a natural occurrence, it can also be a sign that something is wrong. A sick or injured koala may be too weak to climb or may be sitting on the ground for an extended period of time and not moving when approached.
The phrase “sick koala Macedon Ranges” often brings up concerns about common koala diseases. Koalas in Victoria, like those in other states, can suffer from chlamydia. Symptoms of this disease can manifest as inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis), which can lead to blindness, or a wet and dirty bottom (cystitis). While the koala population in Victoria is considered stable, they still face threats from disease, habitat loss, and climate change.
What to Do If You Find a Sick or Injured Koala
If you find a koala that you believe is sick, injured, or in distress, your first and most important step is to contact a professional. Do not attempt to touch or move the koala without advice from a wildlife professional, as despite their cute appearance, they are wild animals with sharp claws and can be dangerous. Any stress from being handled can cause further injury or even death from shock.
For all sick, injured, or orphaned native wildlife in Victoria, the primary 24/7 emergency service is Wildlife Victoria. Their Emergency Response Operators can provide real-time advice and, in most cases, arrange for a trained volunteer to assist.
Wildlife Victoria 24/7 Emergency Response Service: (03) 8400 7300
The Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network is a grassroots, volunteer-run organisation dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and welfare of native wildlife in our region. While we do not have a 24/7 hotline, our members include licensed carers who work with the larger network of wildlife advocates in Victoria. You can support our efforts to protect our local fauna by getting involved with our community education and resources.
By respecting koala habitat and knowing who to call when help is needed, you can play a vital role in ensuring these beautiful animals remain a thriving part of our community for generations to come.
