25!! Koala lives lost on the southern expressway in 2023

This might not seem like much to some but this is only the ones that we know about and when you compare this to 2022’s loss of 7 Koalas for the year this is a disturbing increase. This has lead us to push government for better solutions along the expressway in hot spots to improve safety for our wildlife, because of our focus on data we have been able to pin point every strike spot and see the treads of particular areas that need improvement.

Marissa one of the lives lost on the Southern Expressway in 2023 she had previously been in care with SKER and was a healthy young koala

There are a number of sections of the Southern Expressway that need to be improved but the section between Peppermint Path and Honeypot road (a 1km stretch) has taken the lives of over 10 koalas alone!! If changes aren't made soon we will lose more of our precious koalas.

We started a petition to get the support from concerned citizens to further strengthen the voice for our wildlife. you can find the petition here

The purpose of the petition is to push for barriers and improve the safety for all users on the expressway as well as bring attention to the following: 

• Any wildlife on the Southern Expressway is a traffic hazard which can have severe consequences to both drivers and wildlife on such a high-speed road. 

•  With each animal death there are impacts on the mental health of not only wildlife rescuers but to every adult involved or that drives passed deceased animals on the road.

• Each time a koala enters the expressway there is risk to human life as well-meaning drivers will stop to assist which further enhances the traffic hazard.

Our founder/director Mish presented to the Onkaparinga Council the threat to our local wildlife and called for their support in getting better solutions to keep wildlife off the expressway.

This support has since lead to being in contact with Department of infustructure on how better options can be included in upcoming work on the expressway with the construction of the Majors road on/off ramps.

It is still a work in progress on getting action but we will not stop being a voice for our precious southern Koalas.