Annual Koala headcount - Narrandera
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Organised by the National Parks and Wildlife Service
Where: Narrandera Common. Follow the signs from Lake Talbot Canal Bridge
When: Starting at 9:30 am to 12 noon.
Sausage sizzle and drinks available at minimum cost courtesy the Rotary Club of Narrandera.
Participants assembling for the 2010 Koala count. Counts in later years were cancelled due to flood. Photo courtesy of the Murrumbidgee Field Naturalisit May 2010 Issue No. 171.
Contact: Betty Bradney 6959 2901
Media release: 12 April 2013
The more than 100 people who regularly turn out for the annual Narrandera Koala Count have fingers crossed for fine weather on Sunday 5 May, after the last two year’s events were flooded out.
NPWS Ranger Angela Lewis said all eyes were on the skies.
“The Narrandera Koala Count is a great chance for people to see koalas in the wild as sightings are almost guaranteed.
“Held at the Narrandera Flora and Fauna Reserve, the Koala Count is a fun way for the community to check on the koala colony which was reintroduced into the reserve in 1972.
“The most we have counted was 71 and it usually correlates that the more people we have counting, the more koalas we see so we’d like to encourage everyone to come along.
“We’ve been counting koalas on the reserve in conjunction with the Narrandera Koala Regeneration committee since 1989.
“Its great to see people taking part from the local community but also from places a bit further afield like Lockhart, Parkes, Boree Creek, Wagga, Ariah Park.
“We even have international visitors, with people from Scotland, England and Germany among the counters on our books from previous years.
“The last count was held in 2010 and in the two years following, flooding in the reserve has meant the count was called off.
“Flooding is not looking like being in issue this year, but a nice sunny day would be great!,” Mrs Lewis said.
For those hoping to join in this year’s event, the Count will be held at Narrandera Flora and Fauna Reserve on Sunday 5 May commencing at 9:30am and ending around lunchtime. A BBQ lunch provided by Rotary is on offer for volunteers for a gold coin donation.
Follow the signs from the Lake Talbot Canal Bridge and wear long trousers, sturdy shoes, a hat and a bottle of water.
For more information please contact the Griffith NPWS office on 02 6966 8100 or the Narrandera Visitor Centre 02 6959 1766.
Contact: Jacki Roberts
