In Avonside, east of Jindabyne, researchers have unearthed an astonishing find. Through their work they’ve identified a koala population that was hidden from view! In July 2024, conservationists employed state-of-the-art thermal drone technology in locating two koalas. One year later, these scientists were able to detect eight more koalas in July 2025. Their unique approach has resulted in the locating of ten koalas in this isolated area. This milestone significantly improves our ability to understand and protect these highly imperiled animals.
The statewide koala survey is critical. These cute creatures are under multiple threats like habitat destruction, bushfires and diseases including chlamydia that causes infertility and reduces their populations. The effects of previous bushfires continue to weigh heavily on the community. Residents are understandably concerned about the local koala population, particularly after the horrific firestorm of 2003 which almost certainly led to a regional collapse.
Innovative Survey Techniques
Conservationists from New South Wales just kicked off a novel campaign. They operated thermal drones to facilitate surveying the Snowy Mountains. It’s the first time that these drones have detected koalas in this area. This technology offers an unprecedented level of monitoring koala populations. Until now, tracking these elusive mammals has proven nearly impossible.
Local Land Services officer Kirrily Gould was excited to discover the island’s findings. She stated, “It’s become more than just a couple of animals sighted in one location.” The survey revealed population hotspots of koalas in unexpected places. A lot of landholders were completely unaware that these animals existed on their property.
“Landholders just put a plastic recording device out in the bush for 14 nights, bring it back to us and we analyze the data.” Through this collaborative work, researchers can learn important details about koala populations throughout the Southern Tablelands.
Positive Signs for Koala Recovery
Dr. Sally Miller, senior project officer with the NSW government’s koala strategy. She emphasized just how critical these findings are for informing the future of conservation. “It’s showing a really slow but positive increase in recovery following those fires,” she remarked. The finding of a well-separated population of koalas is welcome news. It allows us to imagine a future where our population’s genetic diversity is driving healthier outcomes.
“This is the first survey that has picked up anywhere near this number,” Dr. Miller added. The identification of these new clusters suggests that there may still be undiscovered populations in the region, which could play a crucial role in the overall health and sustainability of koalas.
Dr. Miller emphasized the importance of ongoing monitoring: “We are looking to learn more about the koala population so we can protect and restore their habitat to expand their population.” The results highlight the need for further study and conservation action to protect this emblematic species’ future.
Ongoing Monitoring and Future Prospects
In November 2025, as part of an audio monitoring survey we dubbed “Koala Karaoke,” this survey added to the thermal drone survey and gave us a better understanding of the koala populations in the area. This novel approach does not intend to replace traditional methods but rather adds to them, improving opportunities to track and map these animals’ behaviors and habitats.
Kirrily Gould expressed optimism regarding the future of the koala population: “If this population is disease-free, it makes it a vitally important part of the koala puzzle on the Southern Tablelands because of their isolated nature.” Partnerships among researchers and private and public landholders will be key to continued long-term monitoring studies as well as future largescale habitat restoration projects.
