Over the past three years SKAT had determined that Mullungdung and Won Wrote State Forests are the key to ensure the long term viability of the Strzelecki koala population.
There are also two very critical government surveys that we need people to complete before 12th January 2025. By taking part in these surveys we may ensure that Won Wron and Mullungdung and protected into the long term.
Mullungdung Forest is marked with a red dot, Won Wron State Forest is marked with a green dot
1. The first survey is a map survey found here
This one is particularly important. When you open the link, you will see you can place a pin on a location where you want to specify what is done with that state forest land and why.
On this map we need everyone to please click on Mullungdung State Forest and/or slightly to its West, Won Wron State Forest. If you click one, it will require one pin, two pins are needed if you click on both with separate corresponding ‘submissions’.
To find these areas, look for Traralgon or Darriman or Woodside near the east Victorian coast and zoom in.
These 2 state forests are hot spots for the Strzelecki koalas. We are trying to get these areas made a reserve/national park so they can be restored and the animals that usually live there (including Strzelecki koalas) can now thrive for future generations.
Once you click on the area of your interest, click on ‘key values’ to the right of the screen and options will come up for you to specify your top 3 reasons why the area is important. Please select the options regarding conservation, protecting & preserving Aboriginal cultural heritage and people's enjoyment of nature.
Below that, is room for free text to provide your own message.
You will get written acknowledgement and a number regarding your submission. You can also click to receive updates if you provide your email address. Your pin will take about 24 hours to appear on the map.
By way of example, we have these free text comments made by 3 SKAT members. Feel free to copy and paste from these.
Anthony words: "Mullungdung State Forest appears to be the most significant area of State Forest remaining in terms of protecting the genetic diversity of Victoria's only endemic koala population. The forest also contains populations of Greater Gliders as well as other significant flora and fauna. About 18,000ha deserve immediate protection and need to be added to the States reserve system".
Janette words: "Protection, buffer zones and wildlife corridors for Strzelecki koalas."
Anne words: "The Mullungdung State Forest is a hotspot for our only remaining genetically diverse koalas in the southern parts of Australia (the Strzelecki Koalas). All other koalas in SA and VIC are inbred as a result of hunting about 100 years ago which almost made koalas extinct nationally. A handful were saved to the islands, bred up and reintroduced to the mainland. But that means that these translocated koalas are genetically much the same and susceptible to the same diseases and other environmental threats. Genetic diversity is required for survival of a species.
Only about 2000 Strzelecki Koalas in total remain in the Mullungdung State Forest and surrounding areas (including Won Wron State Forest). An estimated 25% of this remnant original koala population is located in Mullungdung State Forest. Reserve/National Park status of this beautiful land is required for Strzelecki Koala protection. This will then give koalas a much better chance at survival as a species in Australia and for future generations to enjoy. The area is particularly important for Strzelecki Koalas because most of the other land occupied by them is privately owned, particularly by plantation-based industry."
What the survey map looks like
2. The second is a written survey where you can specify your ideas on what should happen to State Forests. This is found here
Please tell all your contacts about these surveys and ask them to participate.
Many thanks
SKAT Collective
If you feel like donating to our upcoming 2025 koala surveys you can donate here.
Strzelecki koala and joey