"Macedon Ranges wildlife rescuers have responded to a spike in koala road strikes with bold signage to warn drivers of hot spots.

The yellow, koala-shaped markers bear the words ‘slow down’ and ‘hot spot’. Their placement indicates a high strike area.

Wildlings Woodend Wildlife Shelter rescuers Mel Fraser and Karl Dawson are leading the project."

"With koala breeding season beginning, wildlife carers and a local MP have called for vigilance on Macedon Ranges roads and urgent fixes to keep wildlife safe.

Northern Victoria MP Georgie Purcell took to parliament on Friday 28 August to amplify calls from the Wildings Woodend Wildlife Shelter to help protect koalas and fix wildlife fencing on the Calder Freeway, which she said the shelter had repeatedly asked to be maintained."

"We would love to see digital warning signs installed during the breeding season in the future, but for now, we rely on raising awareness through social media and local news.”

Ms Fraser said digital signs would caution both locals and visitors alike.

“[It] has never been done in the Macedon Ranges Shire before and trialling it to see if it changes the number of road strikes can help create an ongoing change,” she said.

“We certainly do need to get creative to help protect the koalas living amongst us.”

"Since Merci is a wild animal who was going to be released, Fraser and Dawson kept human handling to a minimum. Though they only interacted with her sparingly, Merci’s spirited personality still managed to shine through.

“Merci is a sweet girl,” Fraser said. “She enjoys sniffing at the leaves we provide and quite quickly will let us know if she approves of them or not!”

"“We also have young koalas in dispersal around this time [who] are looking for their own territory.

“So not only do we have the older males on the move looking for a mate, there’s the younger ones on the move looking to establish territory of their own.”

Ms Fraser said the main threats for koalas in and around the Macedon Ranges are car strikes, dog attacks, and loss of habitat due to development.

“Where possible [people should] contain dogs to defined areas, particularly during koala breeding season."

Media articles

"My question is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety.

On 14 April Noah&Lil wildlife rescue in Woodend scooped up their fourth koala this year from the Calder Freeway in Macedon.

Caldie the koala was attempting to cross the busy freeway in front of trucks doing 110 kilometres per hour because he made his way through a hole in a damaged fence."

“Ringtail possums, koalas and birds are all highly susceptible to heat,” Ms Frazer said. “You can help our native wildlife cope in extreme heat by placing bowls/tubs of water around your garden to help keep animals hydrated.”

She said garden hoses could be used to spray mist into trees and shrubs to create cooler niches where the animals can escape the heat.

“A simple act of kindness such as bird baths can help save these magnificent animals from heat stress.”

"A young koala’s brush with death in a canine encounter at Mount Macedon has wildlife carers urging responsible dog ownership.
The koala, Amigo, suffered deep puncture wounds and severe bruising after he was attacked on Tucketts Road on Easter Saturday...

Ms Fraser rescues about six koalas a year that are a direct result of preventable dog attacks in the Macedon Ranges."