A new dedicated conservation area for koalas, native vegetation and other fauna on Kangaroo Island is a giant step closer, with a parcel of land secured for the venture from Kiland Limited.

Located in the north-western part of Kangaroo Island, the 500 hectare site is home to an estimated 1,000 koalas. 

The not-for-profit sanctuary, set to start operating in February, will support the resilience of ecological communities on Kangaroo Island that contain koalas, and ultimately offer visitors a nature-immersive experience, allowing them to see koalas in the wild.

Directed by world-leading koala researchers and ecological experts, key elements of the sanctuary’s plans include restoration of native vegetation and creation of a safe environment for the Island’s fauna.

Kiland, as part of its partnership with The Koala Sanctuary, will continue clearing non-native plantation timber on the site. 

The sanctuary will progressively replant the property with native vegetation, aiming to become a leading eco-tourism destination that boosts koala research and native vegetation restoration.

Spokesperson Dr Julian Beaman says the sanctuary will play a vital role in ensuring there will always be a place where people from around the world can experience koalas in the wild.

“With koalas facing increasing pressure in the Eastern states, The Koala Sanctuary offers a place for koalas to persist into the future and to be an ongoing insurance policy for the species more broadly.

“Our aspiration is for The Koala Sanctuary to be a focal point for new understanding of koala biology and to support their conservation and sustainable populations.”

The sanctuary hopes to offer opportunities to engage in Citizen Science activities to monitor koala behaviour and restore native vegetation communities at the site.

Kiland Limited Chairman James Davies says as a major landholder with a long history on Kangaroo Island, it is rewarding to partner with a quality project that delivers benefits to the community, supports koala preservation and research, and restores native vegetation.

“We will continue work early next year on the removal of Tasmanian blue gum plantation timber, some of which is fire damaged, to enable the beginning of the revegetation program.

“I am confident this project will support economic growth on Kangaroo Island, as well as safely and responsibly sustain local koala populations.”