2018-08-07 P&E Agenda - Attachment 1 to Item 3 - Noosa Biosphere Reserve 10 Year Periodic Review

                                                                 Noosa Biosphere Reserve - Periodic Review 2018




Mapping Koala Health to Inform Better Management
Total project value:        $259,500
NBRF funding:                $59,500
Koalas are an iconic species in the NBR. They were listed as a Vulnerable species in Queensland in
2012, however continuing major population declines have cast doubt on current koala conservation
practices, with an urgent need to collect better data. A major scientific investigation into the health of
koalas within the NBR has been underway since January 2016. It is a joint project between the NBRF
and researchers from the USC to measure important koala health indicators: genetic diversity; extent of
Chlamydia disease; thyroid and reproductive hormones; gut bacteria, and to inform evidence-based
management interventions for koalas in the NBR. The project uses non-invasive methodologies,
including the use of ‘sniffer’ dogs to locate koala scats that are then collected for further genetic
analysis.
The initial project stage - sniffer dogs specially trained by USC researchers to locate koala scat enabling
mapping of Noosa koala habitat areas – was completed in mid-2017. The second stage - using DNA
techniques to identify individual koalas based on scat samples – was completed in late 2017.
Major outcomes were:
•      103 sites out of a total 250 surveys contained koala scats (41.2% koala habitat)
•      94 of the 250 surveys were conducted on private properties
•      A total of 128 scats were deemed fresh enough to be collected and utilised
•      Genetic testing of the scats is underway
•      Public information talks provided (NICA, NPA)
•      7 community events attended (including libraries), and
•      A range of local and regional (print and digital) media stories generated.




Photo: NBRF, USC Researchers with sniffer dogs

A project update can be found at http://noosabiosphere.org.au/posts/mapping-koala-health.The USC
has recently been awarded a further $40,000 to continue its ground-breaking research on tracking and
keeping koalas safe and healthy.

(B) Big Ideas Project Grants 2017-19


In mid-2017, the NBRF Board held a further Big Ideas Project Grants Round. The Foundation
committed $330,000 to supporting projects that enhance Noosa's long-term prosperity and increase



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