Friends of the Earth's SKAT collective has just completed koala scat surveys in the 7,000 hectare Won Wron State Forest, near Yarram. Won Wron is definately a stronghold of the Strzelecki koala, with perhaps as many as 500 koalas in the forest. The intensive winter surveys took approximately 2 years to complete, following 3 years of similar work at Mullungdung State Forest. This is the first time that such intensive koala surveys have occurred in these forests. Almost all of the surveys were conducted by Anthony Amis. Thanks for everyone who has donated to SKAT, without your donations the surveys probably wouldn't have occurred.
SKAT intends of complete a report on the survey data by the end of October and this blog just gives a brief overview. SKAT will also be paying for night drone surveys in October to more accurately determine koala populations in key areas of Won Wron and Mullungdung. The drone surveys aren't cheap and any donations to help cover these costs are greatly appreciated.
Koala scats were found at this location under a sole Mountain Grey Gum and a sole Manna Gum, in a forest dominated by Yellow Stringybarks.
In terms of key koala feed trees, it appears that Mountain Grey Gums are less 'popular' in Won Wron forest, compared to Mullungdung. Swamp Gum, Apple Top Box and But But are more 'popular' at Won Wron. About six koala 'hotspots' were discovered at Won Wron with four of these located in riparian areas dominated by Mountain Grey Gum. Three hotspots occurred in the southern portion of Mullungdung with two of these locations dominated by Swamp Gum and Blue Gum.
Swamp Gum dominated forest in Riparian Scrub Ecological Vegetation Class. Koalas love Swamp Gum.
It also appears that more koalas are likely to be present in the southern half of Won Wron, due to prevalence of Messmate and Yellow Stringybark rather than Yertchuk in the north. A total of 307 sites (1965 trees) were surveyed at Won Wron, with 43 (14%) of these sites being positive for koalas. An interesting thought is that in terms of survey sites, 2% of trees recorded koala scats, meaning that at Won Wron you are likely to find a koala scat under one in fifty trees with highest chances occurring in Swamp Gum. This is very similar to the odds of finding koala presence at Mullungdung.
An additional 219 scats were found outside of survey sites. Swamp Gum had the highest strike rates in survey sites followed by But But, Apple Top Box and Manna Gum. Random scat finds outside of survey sites were dominated by Swamp Gum, Mountain Grey Gum, Blue Gum and Manna Gum.
Rough location of koala scats found over 2024/25 at Won Wron State Forest. Green indicates fresh scats, blue indicated old scats. Scats are widespread throughout Won Wron, but large sections are devoid of koalas, depending on Eucalypt type and presence in these areas. eg the area below had no sign of koalas.
This graph highlights presence of koala scats (and chances of finding a koala scat) under different species of Eucalypts at Won Wron in comparison to Mullungdung.
Koala hotspot in Mountain Grey Gum dominated Creekline Herb rich woodland in the centre of Won Wron State Forest.
Keep an eye out in Winter. Red Belly Black snake. Zen and the art of scat hunting. Every footstep has to be perfect and in the moment. Risks of 'mishaps' increase significantly in warmer months, hence the logic of doing surveys in winter.
Ugghh. Kangaroo Thorn/Hedge Wattle (Acacia paradoxa) appears to be taking over large sections of southern Won Wron. It makes walking through forests infested with this plant a nightmare. Anthony pulled out 500 thorns from his hands, arms and clothes after being caught in a particularly nasty patch when he got home after one survey day.
Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land. Likely Aboriginal scar tree near Betty's Road Won Wron State Forest.
SKAT will be publishing their results for Won Wron and Mullungdung by the end of October.
If you want to help keep our collective alive, donate here