Friends of the Koala has had a good start to the new year with a few koalas being released. Miss Sunshine and Nooboo being the first. Miss Sunshine came into care several months ago when she was found on the ground, too young to be by herself and with no sign of a mother. She settled very well into care with no health problems, a rare occurance for an orphan koala. Nooboo is the joey of a mother who has been in care. Her mother is still not ready for release but Nooboo was keen and ready to go. Miss Sunshine and Nooboo spent their last few weeks in care in a large tree together.

Welcome to 2010, the International Year of Biodiversity. Will it be a turning point for the Koala or even for nature in Australia? We’d like to think so. At the very least the year presents an opportunity to celebrate the beauty and diversity of the natural world, not to mention recognising that Australia’s biodiversity is in serious trouble.

Articles in the December 2009 issue of Treetops include Sooty's story, Summary of genetic sampling study, launch of buidling appeal, koalas caught in camphor laurel controversy, new committee members, recent fundraising summary, the usual reports and articles and much, much more.

To read December Treetops online click here .

To read previous issues of Treetops online click here.

Tonight as I write the rain is pouring and that is the best news to my ears for a long time. Also the phone has not yet rung for a koala needing care today - an extremely rare occurance.

Over the last month Friends of the Koala has seen 35 koalas euthanased, mainly koalas suffering from incurable diseases, too severe to treat. A further 10 plus deceased koalas have been repoted to us. This is the worst month we have had in the whole history of the group with regards to deaths of koalas. A significant contributing factor has been the hot, dry weather.

I am south of Walcha, in the high country of the Tablelands and My Mum and I are headed across the paddock in search of koalas as we have always done. We know which direction to take as Mum heard his grunting call echoing across the valley last night.