Koala Retreat believes that we should learn from the past to build the future, looking historically at how and why we set up our society and cities the way that we did. We need to look at different platforms, from coastal towns to metropolises, and build cities of the future. These cities need to be inclusive of zoning and architecture that facilit...
On 17 December 2019, while the bushfires were raging, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that Dr Kellie Leigh of Science for Wildlife (see http://scienceforwildlife.org ), Taronga Zoo's conservation partner, had "rescued" a dozen koalas "from the bushfire-ravaged Blue Mountains and sent to Taronga Zoo, as an out-of-control blaze burned towards thei...
The Picture above is the basic shapes of a tree houses of the future, which is needed for the newest platform, where all our utilities are all underground including very house hold to store there on water supply under ground which would also replace bedrock to maintain a strong engineering . AUSTRALIA IS IN A UNIQUE SITUATION, where we have th...
Why Move 12 Healthy Koalas From the Blue Mountains It's great that everyday Australians support their koalas and general wildlife and that they are happy to volunteer their time and incur expenses in any way they can. However, I argue that it's always at a cost! This is not meant to offend anyone, but the negative consequences of interactions betwe...
JAN
05
Recently Bush-FIRES ACROSS AUSTRALIA with our MAJOR WILDLIFE and PLANT LIFE loss, now requires the best practice planning ever seen in Australia History ( for those who need it download an App called "Fires Near you" (its from the NSW RFS) Not to win the battles in the future as these tragic events will become the new norm. The Biggest C...
The platform in which koala professionals need to work from Understanding the platform in which NSW Society works from As Australia advances, creating cities of the future, we need to make careful considerations to ensure we're benefiting society. And in order to create a balance, we must focus on our two major kingdoms as building blocks. The plan...
Balancing Society Behaviour The word Control is just one part of understanding the layers of emotions and it is within all of us. This occurs on a large scale in large groups as well on a micro-level to the individual to your family make-up, it's a way to manage any situation according to our general living and childhood experiences. The best ...
There are similarities in both koala industries, and these industries have connections to our own behaviour. It makes sense, our industry can be a reflection of ourselves. In the community, we are a small industry. A rticle 35 , " koala rankings" reflects this.and for those who having been following my blogs, the two industry are 1. the koala capti...
The vast majority of the time, it proved extremely difficult to get an answer to the simple question, "How many koalas do you have?". How many koalas do you have? There was a range of responses and emotions attached to that simple question. Tasmania had the strongest response, followed by South Australia . There was no real hesitation or judgement ...
The numbers of koalas in captivity since 2000's has decrease as time goes on. We need clarity around koala captive numbers to show the down-would trend that exist across Australia . It is only by my experience of knowledge and good estimation of the numbers, as this simple research indicates, the seriousness each state views the koala and...
SEP
12
The reason for this article is because our industry has become smaller in every way. The income the koala industry could receive represents an untapped potential, which begs the question – how did the koala industry veer off course? Why are we finding it so hard to maintain public interest in the koala within Australian culture? Despite both the ca...
There's No Specializes or true Koala Centre where the focus is on Koala Behaviour At the moment, it is somewhat self-regulated and there is no real way to track the performances of staff and management. Because of this, you tend to have a two extreme outcomes, a very RESTRICTIVE approach OR very RELAX with no guidance or watchdog to create a balanc...
When did we go so wrong, back to the future, we go! All the rhetoric tells us that koalas sleep a lot and that implies they don't move a lot. Its common knowledge, its apart of scientific papers and scientists generally agree to these facts, but another element to the story-line that's not common knowledge is most cases where they come from, how di...
When did the Koala industry start veering off course? Let's go back in time! This time, if we start with two major underlying themes, and if I use the same template as Dr Brown, we can see some incremental changes over the years. Firstly, we need to change our way of thinking by removing the notion that our needs, as opposed to the koala's n...
The term, "back to the reality", refers to the movie "Back to the Future" starring Michael J Fox and Christopher Lloyd who play the characters of Marty McFly and Doc-Brown. Doc discovered in a fictional story how to go back in time, and right the wrongs of the past, to set Marty and his family's life back on track. But, of course, there's always th...
JUN
04
Australian's have the ability, to redesign our future, because of our massive landscape , by starting from scratch, we can restructuring another economical system where THE PLATFORM ITSELF becomes the BIGGEST WINNER, not any one individual living organism or Nonliving organism, but a combination and balance of both. We need to transform the way tha...
Why Are We Separated? Our current way of living has zoning laws, with residents living in close proximity to large shopping centers, schools, hospitals and recreational and leisure parks. But what if we added another element to the picture? What if we considered adding natural Australian habitat with wildlife? What gets me is that soci...
The koala industry ranking rates the koala industry as a whole, meaning both, the captivity and the conservation sector, compared to other industries who have evolved over time, including finding and sourcing the best people for the job.The koala industry hasn't had the mentality to compete with other industry. Instead, "It's our way or the highway...
The Social Enterprise Model in Koala Conservation - How Do We Link the Conservation and Captivity Sectors? The Evolving Commercialisation of Larger Not for Profit Organisations In the Koala conservation sector, just like in many other enterprise sectors, the social enterprise model has emerged as a new form of enterprise – a mix between a profit dr...
Planning for the future: Thinking outside the box! The word "accountability" is relevant in the conservation sector, where there's no real accountability if something goes wrong. Conservationists work in an open environment which is why various non-profit organisations are unwilling to take full control or responsibility: because there is no ...
The Conservation Sector (free-range koalas) These represent side-to-side movements in the conservation sector and outside of other groups such as commercial entities There so many ways in which you can interpret situations across different geographic, political and cultural lines. There is no one-stop-shop for major problems in Australia, BUT, ther...
The CONSERVATION Support & Resistance Pressure Line In this divided koala industry to go forward, we all need to understand what's stopping us from getting there. Because sitting back and watching different koala groups trying to save their local koalas, their rural environment or the value of their land. This can send a negative message to t...
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ This article attempts to bring together both lines of pressure in a table that's easy to understand. It illustrates the importance of accountability within the koala industry. While...
DEC
12
The Horizontal Pressure Part-2 Here in NSW Koala Parks Once t heir clarification of the business is transparent of the set-Up It doesn't matter which way the pressure is coming from, it should always be respected. If you have this visual aid and can analyse this scenario, the power of balance and the line is constantly being pushed up a...
The Horizontal Pressure Line of the Koala Captivity Sector The Support & Resistance Line NSW Koala Parks - Part-1 Long Term PREVENTION Work Under Attack by Short-Term Outlook! In the captivity sector, the art of koala dietary management is still undervalued. It is surprising that even after decades in this line of work, the captivity sector sti...
For me, I've mastered my profession without a doubt; supporting koalas in large numbers in the captive sector is my specialty. The role has many layers, dimensions and pressures. This role is unlike that of a conservationist, who works in an open environment that is separate from the captive sector with very different responsibilities. The captive ...
Introduction to Big or Best To move forward, we will need a combination of big ideas and best practices in the way we manage (and pass on) our work in a fast-paced lifestyle, and in the way that we understand what's expected of staff (and duties) in both conservation and captivity roles. Part of the institutions' role throughout the year is knowing...
Our Balance of Behaviour When it comes to the koala, there's different cultures, environments experiences and information coming from the conservation and the captive sector from a range of different levels. Because even from the zoological institution, the bigger the staff infrastructure, the more distanced they become from the work itself, as the...
For councils to win the battle into the future and reduce the amount of roadkill on Appin and Picton road, then a number of different programs need to be supported their fencing solution. The fencing suggestion by both Campbelltown & Wollondilly councils focusing on redirecting their koala's movements also needs to support them at the same time...
As Shakespeare might have said- "TO HOLD or NOT TO HOLD" , that is the question!" There is a difference between true koala parks THROUGHOUT AUSTRALIA that generate their income from the koala while allowing handling of koalas, versus the koala parks that do not. You would be surprised at the differences between parks across various states of Austra...
The cultural differences between STATES Sharing Information between State Governments If the Victorian government really wanted to avoid the cull (in 2014), they could have simply asked for support and guidance from Queensland's koala captivity sector, who are leaders in the koala industry. Of course, this may have already been done, though i...
To ensure the koala can thrive into the 21st century, they must be part of society. With this in mind, it is important to reference last week's announcement that koala milk could provide society the protection of super bugs in the near future. Anything is possible! The koala is the fourth marsupial to be genetically sequenced - with the Australian ...
The 3-STEP PROCESS includes mapping and understanding the population of koalas in the wild. The Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) can play a role in this but fall short in managing to prevent koala inbreeding, disease control and the ever-increasing road kill rates. It seems they are leaving this role to the public which shows complacency as they a...
Where the Bloody Hell are you? Quote by "Lara Bingle" Where the Funk is the AKF (Australian Koala Foundation)? They were missing in action at Cape Otway Region Victoria in 2015. The problem with non-profit organisations is that they tend to sensationalise issues, capitalising on humanity's desire for emotion-driven content, rather than prioritising...
JUN
20
What happened at Cape Otway Region, Victoria? Case Study: What Not To Do! Victorian-Cape Otway Region and the Great Disappointment A classic example of a policy that lacked vision, insight and governance was the Victorian Government's Cape Otway koala cull in 2014. The state government, acting on poor advice and wanting a cheap and qui...
What happened at Cape Otway Region, Victoria? It is weird how at one end of the spectrum you have tourists taking photos of the koalas and native wildlife, while at the other end, the Victorian Government were shooting the very same koalas in the same area. Case Study: What Not To Do! What were you thinking, Victoria? Cape Otway Region Victor...
Maintaining the foundation in which our wildlife live, would be as much of importance as the wildlife itself! Here in Sydney 10's of Thousands-Tree Die-back, Eucalyptus moluccana In the wider spaces of western and south-western Sydney, as well as the general Sydney region, from Liverpool councils, Wollondilly councils, Penrith council and further. ...
Explain to me: Who is a Koala Expert?: Part-2 It's funny how both society and koala habitat is defragmented! They go hand in hand! From a local based koala group-looking for answers but looking in the wrong direction. The disconnect on a local level has repercussions right across the eastern coast of Australia. The Wollondilly ...
The koala industry has become complacent . While the conservation sector is losing the battle to save koala habitat, the captive sector is stuck in its traditional and conservative modus operandi and is reluctant (and unwilling) to push boundaries and innovate. The over-use of the term Koala Experts One of the main reasons for this is the over-us...
What's In the Word "Conservation"? Challenging Traditional Assumptions of Conservation Introduction This article is part of a series. To read the first article, click here. Koala conservation comes in many sizes, shapes and forms, and includes captive management. However, over the years the conservation sector has extricated themselves from the cap...
What's In the Word "Conservation?" Challenging Traditional Assumptions of Conservation Introduction In this theme, I cover some of the key questions surrounding the ambiguities of the definition of 'conservation' . Throughout my many years working professionally in the captive koala sector, I have noticed a gradual shift in the meaning and understa...
The Koala Can Eat a Non-Eucalyptus Diet This article is part of a series. To read part one, click here . Non-Eucalyptus diet in a captive sector In my many years working with koalas – from small, to very large numbers – there is one thing that I am sure of: koalas can eat a non-eucalyptus diet. While my colleagues and I have known this for decades,...
Koala Energy and Enrichment This article is part of a series. To read part one, click here . Koalas are often labelled as sleepy marsupials that spend most of their lives in a deep slumber. However, this characterisation is quite far from the truth. The captive koala, given the right diet and nutrients, is a robust and active animal that can thrive...
Koala Food Production Life in the Field This article is part of a series. To read part one, click here. The style of field cutting and collecting food has a huge impact on the overall health and wellbeing of a koala. A cutter's job is to ensure that koalas feel completely comfortable and at home in a captive environment. The aim is to provide koala...
The Back Story In order to understand the future, you must understand the past. This sentiment is especially true within the koala industry, whose institutions that exist today have not managed to learn from the past to adapt and improve for the future. Throughout the 1970's, 80's and 90's, koalas (and koala populations) in captivity was a growing ...
Indifferent Does Not Mean Out of Touch This article is part of a series. If you missed Part 3, please click here. Within each individual industry, there is a 'code' or 'culture' that is generally apparent among the staff. In my industry, I have developed a thick-skin and my attitude may appear unaffected or indifferent, but this certainly does not ...
Inside-out and outside-in the koala industry This article is part of a series. If you missed Part 2, please click here. Traditionally there have been two approaches to koala management: The first is the conservation sector , which focuses on protecting the natural habitat of the koala and other native wildlife. This approach works inside-out . Cons...
Types of Zoological Parks This article is part of a series. If you missed Part One, please click here . The three traditional types of zoological parks (zoos) are listed below. The fourth is the new, emergent type of zoological park; a recent evolution of the wildlife park that has witnessed the commercialisation of the traditional non-profit model...
Terms and Definitions In the zoological industry, there are various terms that describe AND determine a collection of animals. For example, the word "ZOO" historically described an establishment which held a collection of wild animals from around the world for public display. Then, the use of other terms such as "WILDLIFE PARK", "ANIMAL SANCTUARY" ...
MAR
07
In 1996, the koala pumped 1.1 billion dollars into the Australian economy. A 1997 report, Koalas and Tourism: An economic evaluation, undertaken by Professor Tor Hundloe and Dr. Clive Hamilton looked at the value koalas have on the Australian tourism market. The report concluded that koalas were contributing more than 10% of the national tourism re...
FEB
28
Embracing the Economic Opportunity of the Koala The 1980's and 90's saw Australia's most iconic species, the koala, reach the height of its popularity. This charismatic creature was attracting worldwide attention and quietly generating revenue for Australian businesses, government and nature parks with its friendly disposition, small size, a...
FEB
21
In Australia, the koala has been represented and portrayed as a victim. Non-profit organisations and koala hospitals have heavily sold the story of the devastating impact humans have had on koala populations, noting their decline since the 1920's. While this is true - the koala is a victim of social change , and it's a well deserve title – there is...
In 2015, Dr Karl's presented Australia's " Challenge of Change " speech, describing some of the key challenges that Australia is facing. His speech coincided with the Intergenerational Report (IGR) which assesses the long-term sustainability of current Government policies and how changes to Australia's population size and age profile may impact on ...
