Finally, after 6 years, our koala surveys at Mullungdung and Won Wron State Forests in south east South Gippsland. have finished and a new report on our findings are now published.
Over 5000 trees were surveyed during the project and for the first time we now have a clearer understanding regarding key koala tree species in the Gippsland Plains Bioregion and a better estimation of the overall Strzelecki koala population. It would now appear that the population is now over 3000, with about 700 (~25%) of these animals located in Mullungdung and Won Wron State Forests.
Our strategic focus remains the same with three key campaign goals.
1. Reservation of the 8,000 hectare Brataualung Forest Park. (Only 33% of this forest has been reserved since a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the State Government in October 2006).
2. Listing of the Strzelecki koala under the Federal EPBC Legislation (The Federal Government wanted more information about the distribution of the Strzelecki koala genome when FoE first nominated the Strzelecki koala in 2022. The State Government has completed this vital work, but has refused to release its statewide genetic survey since July 2025.)
3. Reservation of large sections (10,000 hectares+) of Mullungdung and Won Wron forests to protect key koala hot spot areas.
For a copy of the new report see here.
Koala 'hotspot at Won Wron State Forest. Mountain Grey Gum's, particularly older trees in riparian zones, are the key for sustaining koala populations in these forests and the Strzelecki Ranges.
In terms of the report key findings included:
Estimated koala population at Mullungdung: 489 +-109*.
Estimated koala population at Won Wron: 181 +-51*.
A quarter of all Strzelecki Koalas could occur at Mullungdung and Won Wron.
Mullungdung Primary Koala Habitat >200ha.
Won Wron Primary Koala Habitat >80ha.
Mullungdung Preferred Koala Habitat 6666ha*.
Won Wron Preferred Koala Habitat 2805ha*.
12 species of Eucalypts utilised by koalas.
Favourite Koala Trees Mountain Grey Gum, Swamp Gum, Yellow Stringybark.
Average Mountain Grey Gum size, with scats, 945mm DBH, highlighting preference for older trees 80 years+.
Drone Surveys confirmed Primary Koala Habitat Estimations.
Creekline Herb Rich Woodland and Riparian Scrub (50% of all scats at Mullungdung).
Mountain Grey Gum are of utmost importance but are not listed in main Ecological Vegetation Classes.
50 koala hotspots identified.
Over 5400 trees surveyed.
There is an urgent need to expand the reserve system Mullungdung and Won Wron.
Koalas appear more frequently in riparian zones at Mullungdung, than Won Wron.
Mountain Grey Gum appears to be more numerous at Mullungdung, than Won Wron, with Swamp Gum appearing more popular at Won Wron.
Scats found in Won Wron Plains Woodlands or Forests are more common than Mullungdung, particularly in the southern half of Won Wron.
*Population estimates provided by Biolink
SKAT campaigner Anthony Amis, next to a Mountain Grey Gum after doing the hard yards over the 6 year project to survey Mullungdung and Won Wron State Forests for koala scats.
Koala hotspots (>0.5 koalas per hectare) identified during the surveys. Red areas dominated by Mountain Grey Gum, Pink areas dominated by Swamp Gum, Green areas dominated by Bluegum, Orange areas dominated by Apple Top Box, Dark Blue dominated by Manna Gum, Light Blue by Yellow Stringybark.