Ballarat Wildlife Park calls for help in feeding its 16 koalas

A shortage of eucalyptus leaf sources for Ballarat Wildlife Park has led management at the wildlife attraction to call for help in feeding its 16 koalas, including three babies.

Park Curator Julia Leonard this week advised that eucalyptus leaf quality around the Ballarat region had fallen, possibly as a result or dry weather conditions and reduction in local tree numbers due to development.

Leonard told local media "we are finding the resources we have available wanting in quality.

"We have our own plantation and access to a private plantation, but if anybody out there can allow us onto their land too we would be grateful.

"We just need to start finding other places to source leaves. Manna gum is mainly found on roadsides or private properties."

Leonard said koalas preferred manna gum leaves, but would also eat swamp gum or messmate.

With a reduction in appropriate trees Leonard added "we're just not seeing koala numbers like we used to.

"We can only assume what the cause is, but it might be the drought. There's certainly been some sort of disturbance."

Ballarat Wildlife Park's 16 koalas eat four new branches, or half a kilogram of fresh leaves, daily.

For more information call Julia Leonard on 0437 856 500, www.wildlifepark.com.au/

30th April 2012 - KOALAS TO BE LISTED AS THREATENED AMID RAPID DECLINE

28th September 2011 - KOALA INQUIRY CALLS FOR VULNERABLE STATUS