Dr Leigh estimates two-thirds of the Wollemi-Hawkesbury koala population has been lost, along with the decimation of several other koala populations around the state.

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Volunteer rescuers included experienced State Emergency Service workers and a specialised climbing team that was called in from Victoria. In total, three males and five females, along with four joeys, were saved.

"We put in some very long hours and we're delighted we've got a good ratio of males and females, and also some joeys," Dr Leigh said.

Koalas are a threatened species and vulnerable to extinction across most of their range inAustralia .

Dr Leigh said that although they were a once-thriving community of 3 to 4 million animals, koala numbers are now as low as 300,000 - the World Wildlife Fund have said that koalas could be extinct in NSW by 2050.

"Saving each and every koala population is vital to the species' survival, she said.

In total, three males and five females, along with four joeys, were rescued.Credit:Taronga Zoo

"We just thought it was really critical even though we got a relatively small number. We just needed to do something and we've done the best we can."

The koalas are being cared for behind-the-scenes by the Taronga Wildlife Hospitals veterinary team and Taronga koala keepers until it is safe to release them back to the wild.

"We are committed to caring for these important koalas to ensure some of this vital genetic diversityfrom the Blue Mountains can be preserved and that the future of this iconic species is secured, saidNick Boyle, Taronga Conservation Societys director of welfare, conservation and science.

"This weeks forecast has multiple days above 40 degrees in western Sydney with gusty andchangeable winds, so it was important that we rescued these animals from impending danger."

Matt Bungard is a journalist at The Sydney Morning Herald.

Original post:
Handful of Blue Mountains koalas successfully relocated to Taronga Zoo - Sydney Morning Herald

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