Koala from Rare Disease-Free Population Killed by Vehicle Strike on Appin Road
Appin Road,south of Sydney – A young male koala,part of one of new South Wales’ last remaining chlamydia-free populations,was killed after being struck by a vehicle. The incident has renewed concerns about the effectiveness of wildlife underpasses and fencing designed to protect the endangered species.
The koala, known as Gage, was a breeding-age animal. His death represents a “genuine loss” for native wildlife, according to Roads Minister Jo Haylen. ”Any death of native wildlife is a genuine loss,” she said.
Work on a koala underpass at the site had been stalled due to access disputes between developers Stockland and Lendlease.An agreement has now been reached to allow some work to resume.
“I have made it clear to transport for NSW that it is essential to get this work completed as soon as possible,” ms. Haylen stated.
stockland confirmed it has secured “initial temporary access” and expects to begin work “in the coming days,” but noted the access period is limited and insufficient to complete the project. Lendlease declined to comment.
Beyond the immediate tragedy, conservationists are alarmed by the impact of koala fencing along Appin Road.Ms. Carrick explained the fencing is restricting the chlamydia-free koala population’s access to vital east-west migration routes and pushing them southward.
“The fencing is cutting them off from additional habitat in the chlamydia-free zone,” she said. “the thing that weighs on all of our minds is the further south they go, that’s when they are going to meet chlamydia.”
Koalas are facing increasing threats from habitat loss, climate change, and disease, with chlamydia being a significant factor in population decline across much of NSW. The Appin Road population represented a critical genetic reservoir, and Gage’s death underscores the urgency of effective conservation measures.