Koalas abroad and while traveling: are they dangerous, where do you encounter them, where can you see them?
Koalas
- What are koalas?
- Are koalas dangerous?
- Where to see koalas in the wild abroad?
- What to do if you encounter a koala in the wild?
- What to do if a koala attacks you?
- What are the most dangerous koala species and why?
- What diseases can you get from a koala?
- Can you volunteer or intern with koalas?
- What should you do if you are going to work with koalas during your volunteer work, internship or study?
- Where is the best place to work with koalas?
What are koalas?
- Koalas are marsupials with the appearance of a cuddly bear with a striking broad nose.
- Because koalas live on hard-to-digest tree leaves, they spend a large part of the day resting in eucalyptus trees.
- The slowness in combination with a well-insulated, soft coat made the animals susceptible to hunting. Even though they enjoy better protection from hunting now, wildfires and habitat destruction in particular have become a major danger to koalas.
Are koalas dangerous?
- Koalas are not dangerous unless you provoke or threaten them. Injured or sick koalas can feel threatened when you think you are helping them, this miscommunication can cost you a nasty blow, scratch or bite.
- Koalas are often carriers of the chlamydia bacteria, this is especially dangerous for people who work in a koala shelter, for example.
Where to see koalas in the wild abroad?
- Koalas live mainly in a strip along the south and east coast of Australia. If you come across a forested area with eucalyptus trees in the states of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia, there is a good chance that koalas live there.
- To see koalas while they are resting, you need a trained eye. Koalas are only slightly active for a few hours a day (often in the same tree where they have been sleeping all day....) and this is usually only after sunset.
- Some hotspots for koala spotting: Mikkira Station (near Port Lincoln), Yanchep National Park (Western Australia), Port Macquarie (New South Wales) and Bimbi Park (Victoria).
What to do if you encounter a koala in the wild?
- If you meet a koala in the wild, chill and watch! Don’t try to approach it, simply observe it from a distance and let it enjoy its day.
- In case the koala seems injured or in distress, contact a local wildlife authority or rescue group. Don’t try to rescue the wild koala yourself, since it might cause you some serious harm.
- If you are with a dog, make sure the dog is on the leash and under control when you see a koala.
- If you’re going to hike in koala territory (thick eucalyptus trees), it might be wise to wear thick clothing in case they decided to jump you.
What to do if a koala attacks you?
- Give the koala space, at least 10 meters, because they can attack if they are scared. Don’t make loud noises, because it can contribute to their stress.
- If you do get too close, they might attack you with all they’ve got. They can bite, scratch and even pee on you. And yes, even their pee can be dangerous.
- Once a koala bites, it won’t easily let go. You have to try to pry its mouth open.
- Don’t let them pee on you, as it can give you a serious chlamydia infection.
- If a koala bites or scratches you, immediately clean the wound with soap and water and apply antiseptic. Seek medical attention at the nearest facility, especially if the wound is deep.
What are the most dangerous koala species and why?
- The most dangerous is definitely the drop bear. This predatory and carnivorous version of the koala attacks unsuspecting people by dropping onto their heads - in folklore that is ;). It is actually a hoax and often used to scare tourists.
What diseases can you get from a koala?
- Koalas can carry bacteria in their mouth that can, in rare cases, cause complications. One of those bacteria is Lonepinella for which you’ll probably have to be treated after a bite.
- Chlamydia can be transferred (although it is quite rare) to humans that are in close contact with infected animals. It can cause mild respiratory infections, conjunctivitis, or flu-like symptoms (very rare).
- Cryptococcosis can be transferred to humans by inhalation of fungal spores found in feces and urine. It can cause lung infections and pneumonia-like symptoms. In severe cases it can even spread to the brain.
- Leptospirosis is another one of those fun, urine-spread bacterias. It can cause fever, muscle aches and vomiting among other things.
Can you volunteer or intern with koalas?
- In Australia you can volunteer with koalas, sometimes there are also internships available.
What should you do if you are going to work with koalas during your volunteer work, internship or study?
- In most cases your volunteer duties will include cleaning, scrubbing and ensuring fresh leaf and water. Other, more research focused, volunteer duties might be weighting scat and observing behaviour. When required, volunteers sometimes have to feed formula.
- You usually have to work hard for several hours in a row, for which you will need a good level of fitness.
- Other duties might include maintenance of cages and buildings and general repairs, or working at koala food tree plantations.
- You’ll usually receive training that is appropriate to the role you applied for. Its important to listen to the instructions and always follow the protocol of the place you work for.
- It might be fun to read up on koalas and their specific behaviours and ecology before starting your volunteer work or internship.
Where is the best place to work with koalas?
- Australia, for sure! Find a koala sanctuary and help safeguard them and their natural environments. Most are found in southeastern and eastern Australia.
