Kangaroo Island koalas are contributing to a ground breaking breeding program to safeguard the long-term conservation of koalas in Australia.

The birth of four joeys at Cleland Wildlife Park is the first sign of the program’s success.

They are the first generation to be born as part of an innovative state government-led initiative to breed genetically diverse koalas, free from chlamydia and koala retrovirus - diseases of concern for the conservation of the species.

The joeys, which were born in March, are doing well after spending time in their mothers’ pouches.

The breeding program is based on a colony formed by about 20 koalas originally from Kangaroo Island, as well as four male koalas from the Strzelecki Ranges in Central Gippsland, Victoria.

It is planned that these disease-free, outbred animals will be available to support the conservation of koalas, particularly the populations in Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT that are considered endangered under federal government legislation.

Bushfires across the country, including the 2019-20 blazes on Kangaroo Island, have reduced koala populations and contributed to the species being listed as endangered in those eastern states.

The main challenges to the survival of koalas and their forest homes are habitat destruction, climate change with drought and fires, diseases, and the impact of humans, such as traffic accidents and attacks by dogs.

South Australia’s koala populations are not of conservation concern but do have a lower genetic diversity compared to those from the Strzelecki Ranges.

The breeding program aims to create a healthy and genetically diverse captive population of animals that will also provide opportunities for research to support long-term conservation of the species.

The program is a partnership between the Department for Environment and Water and Koala Life – an independent not-for-profit organisation established for the science-based conservation of koalas.

Koala Life and the department are working with researchers at Flinders University and The University of Adelaide to create a genetic profile of the koalas and address any health and disease issues.

The breeding program is continuing and it is hoped more joeys will be born in 2024.

Koala Life Director Chris West says his organisation is an active advocate for the long-term conservation and wellbeing of koalas and the future security of their gum forest habitat. 

“This is the program’s first breeding season with the Strzelecki males and the koalas have performed exceptionally well to produce four joeys.

“If koalas die out in certain parts of Australia due to natural disasters, climate change or disease, this breeding program is the insurance policy we need to reintroduce the species.”

The program has been made possible through contributions from the state government and community donations.

To support Koala Life’s work to safeguard the species, visit the website.