Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water / C2023.041 Koala Translocation Program - C2023.041 Koala Translocation Program

Taronga has sought funding support of $776,851(ex GST) over four years, to engage a PhD student to deliver a research project entitled “Towards Koala Translocation: Understanding the drivers of fine-scale koala density to inform conservation action”. The project will contribute significantly to the knowledge, and practice of koala translocations and through this will assist in achieving significant conservation benefit for the species by guiding conservation management actions. In return, Taronga will undertake at least one trial translocation of koalas into a Project Site. This translocation will be delivered to assist in meeting translocation targets in the NPWS Koala Strategy. Taronga is well placed to deliver this translocation through the partnership with Koala Conservation Australia whereby a dedicated conservation reeding program is in the final stages of establishment to supply koalas for translocation purposes. This funding will cover the cost of Taronga committed funds to the University of Newcastle to deliver project research aims, and as such the recommendation is to progress with the agreement with DPE NPWS.