Koala research

Overview

My Ph.D concentrated on investigating the effects of nutritional stresses on the feeding behaviour and activity patterns of free ranging koalas. Tooth wear was considered to be a supply stress that reduces the koala's ability to supply itself with energy and nutrients. Lactation was considered to be a demand stress, whereby lactating individuals would have higher energy and nutrient demands.

To investigate the compensations and consequences of these factors, free ranging koalas were fitted with acoustically sensitive radio transmitters and remotely monitored in 24 hour blocks. Both tooth wear and lactation were associated with substantial alterations in feeding behaviour (amount consumed, degree of chewing, rate of chewing) as well as non-feeding behaviour (amount of time spent moving, climbing and interacting).

A more detailed acount of this research can be viewed via the links provided to the left.

Koala carrying capacity of Raymond Island

In 2009, honours student Glenn Jepson will be attempting to investigate various aspects of the Raymond Island koala population, including:

Carrying capacity
Population size and distribution
Population demographics and health
Relative impacts of koalas on tree health

Investigating seasonal activity patterns and feeding behaviour of free ranging koalas

In 2008, honours student Chris Pretorius will be attempting to investigate seasonal patterns in activity patterns and feeding behaviour of free ranging koalas (at The Koala Conservation Centre, Phillip Island).

Investigating the impacts of leaf type on the feeding behaviour of free ranging koalas

In 2005, honours student Sherrie Caarels investigated whether the feeding behaviour of free ranging koalas (at The Koala Conservation Centre, Phillip Island) differs between different species of eucalypt and whether these differences can be related to the physical properties of the leaves (that is, how hard the leaves are).