Koalas are once again experiencing population declines across Australia.

"Koala numbers crashed across Australia 100,000 years ago. Global glacial cycles are likely to blame." The koala "is now listed as endangered in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. "

"...Recent declines have generated a similar bottleneck over a much shorter time window, due to the historical and continued removal of suitable koala habitat. This is made worse by other threats such as hunting, disease, vehicle strikes, feral dog attacks and bushfires." >>
https://theconversation.com/koala-numbers-crashed-across-australia-100-000-years-ago-global-glacial-cycles-are-likely-to-blame-284558
#biodiversity #wildlife #koalas #habitat #NSW #NSWLogging #sprawl #cars #dogs #pets #RoadKill #FossilFuels #climate

Nudging drivers to share the roads with wildlife

"Motorists are being urged to slow down and stay alert for wildlife as Transport for NSW launches its annual “Animals on Country Roads” safety campaign.

"Between 2016 and 2025, 26 people were killed and more than 1,250 crashes resulted in injuries involving animals on country roads. Kangaroos were involved in the highest proportion of fatal crashes involving animals in NSW, accounting for 44 per cent of deaths over the past decade."

“Driving on country roads means sharing the road with animals that can move quickly and unpredictably...Slow down, stay alert – especially at dawn and dusk – and take note of the animal warning signs. Also look out for animals near creeks and waterholes."

"The campaign runs until 30 June, encouraging motorists to take extra care on country roads and be prepared for unexpected wildlife hazards, including reporting injured animals to WIRES on 1300 094 737." >>
https://nambuccavalley.newsofthearea.com.au/look-out-for-wildlife-campaign
#cars #motorists #speeding #MobilityDesign #roads #HabitatFragmentation #wildlife #livestock #RoadKill #RoadTrauma
Image: Young passenger's view of native wildlife on NSW road shoulder

I took a drive up #RiverRoad along the #SacramentoRiver today & saw what looked like a dead #otter run over in the road. 😲

I couldn't verify this but the thought bothered me more than if it was just your typical #roadkill. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Dumped wildlife and
depressed and suicidal vets: excessive workloads and out-of-hours work, unsatisfactory remuneration, client abuse, and unclear regulations.

A "report found a lack of consistency with local governments and unclear legislation had led to a public perception of vets as "the default drop-off location" for injured wildlife and other found animals, despite the responsibility lying primarily with local and state governments."

"Six of the 32 recommendations related directly to challenges faced specifically by regional vets, including an "unreasonable level of responsibility" for the care of lost and unowned animals, such as injured wildlife...Wildlife is one of those things that we're all deeply passionate about, that we want to help our native wildlife … but it does come at a strain in the cost to the clinic that is, at this point, not covered at all."

"Vets say daily abuse and a lack of understanding from clients are one of the biggest factors causing them harm." >>
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-09/veterinary-vet-mental-health-joint-committee/106640044
#wildlife #WildlifeCarers #NSW #biodiversity #veterinarians #vets #MentalHealth #pets #PetOwners #harm #RoadKill #InjuredWildlife #dogs #roads #OHS #governance
Image: Injured koala (ABC Radio Brisbane: Kenji Sato)

Speed over comfort today. Saw lots of roadkill: an owl, a rabbit, a rat and a grouse and managed to avoid joining them. My trip to the bike hub seems to have reduced the play in my cranks and the creaking at least is gone for now.

#BikeTooter #cycling #commute #roadkill

Statements that you need to get used to, if you're good friends with serious Indigenous artists, who are huge on traditional cultural arts/crafts work.

- "I got a roadkill call. Can you bring some knives to help skin it?"
- "I'm picking you up in an hour. Wear your grungy clothes. We are picking up some roadkills!"
- "It's 2am. Can you help me go collect a roadkill deer & help me skin it on my porch?"
- "I'm running late to come get you because I had a fresh roadkill alert & I went to get it!"

I forgot the most important beginner one!
- "Get used to super stanky smells! The smells of rancid animal death leads to glorious smells of new art life!"

I'm used to to dank ass death smell now. It took 2 months to not feel super nauseous whenever we loaded up roadkills in vehicle.

#IndigenousFriends #Roadkill #ZeroWaste