visit raa.com.au
Wildlife rescue group Southern Koala and Echidna Rescue is pleading with drivers to call them if they hit and injure a koala on the road, with new call-out data showing 95% of collisions are not reported by the driver involved.
Hundreds of koalas fall victim to motor vehicle collisions in SA each year, with a 60% increase in koala calls to SKER over the past 12 months.
Last year, the SKER rescued around 250 koalas and 48 echidnas in volunteer-run vans. But due to horrific injuries, many of the koalas are sadly euthanised.
Concerning SKER call-out data shows only 5% of their reports come from the driver who hits the animal.
Now, the organisation will have elevated safety precautions in place, thanks to an RAA donation of 15 emergency beacons – which will attach to the outside of SKER’s vans.
The beacons will help to alert and slow down traffic while ensuring SKER are able to safely rescue koalas, particularly during dawn and dusk.
SKER are previous recipients of an RAA Grassroots Giving grant, with the organisation receiving funding to support their rescue and rehabilitation initiatives.
In the last five years the Grassroots Giving program had provided 76 community groups with grants totalling more than $290,000.
RAA Community Partnerships Manager Andrew Petersen said RAA hopes the beacons will improve safety for SKER volunteers.
“At RAA we’re passionate about being better for our members and better for our community – and we know community-run organisations such as SKER rely on the generosity of the public and other SA organisations,” Mr Petersen said
“When SKER reached out to us about the need for some emergency beacons, and we had some that didn’t fit our new patrol vans, it made complete sense to donate them.
“We hope this offer on behalf of our members will assist in the safe rescue of koalas and echidnas, while also warning passing drivers of hazards on the road.”
Call SKER’s 24 hour hotline if you see a sick/injured koala or echidna: 0435 056 252 (0435 0 KOALA).
For more information, visit SKER’s website: Ways to support Southern Koala and Echidna Rescue — SKER.