Friends of the Koala

MEDIA RELEASE

17 June 2007

Friends of the Koala Takes on Tweed

Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers (TVWC) has invited Friends of the Koala to manage the rescue, rehabilitation and release of koalas in the eastern part of Tweed Shire.

Friends of the Koala has been working to conserve koalas on the Northern Rivers for over 20 years. Its activities are associated with habitat restoration, animal health and welfare, research into healthy and diseased koala populations, education and advocacy.

The group’s licence which is issued under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, extends across the Department of Environment and Climate Change’s Northern Rivers Region and encompasses the local government areas of Ballina, Byron, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed.

TVWC President, Ms Ilona Roberts said “The two groups have been working collaboratively for quite some time. Friends of the Koala is a single species group which has developed considerable expertise in rehabilitating diseased and injured koalas. The group also engages in partnerships to achieve habitat restoration, education and advocacy which we believe will assist in strengthening koala conservation in the eastern portion of the Shire.”

Local reporting of koalas and enquiries about koalas can still be directed to TVWC on 6672 4789, or Friends of the Koala’s rescue and information line on 6622 1233.

People interested in becoming involved in koala conservation or just wanting to find out more about koalas are encouraged to attend a half-day basic training course to be held on Saturday 30 June, from 9.00am until 1.30pm.

The course will include rescue techniques, basic koala assessment, handling and transportation, leaf identification and what is involved in becoming a volunteer at Friends of the Koala’s Koala Care Centre in East Lismore.

Visit www.friendsofthekoala.org for further information about Friends of the Koala. Course enquiries and bookings can be made on 6622 1233 or email: info@friendsofthekoala.org