Koalas are in serious decline, suffering from the effects of habitat destruction, domestic dog attacks, bushfires and road accidents. Koala Conservation Australia is a not-for-profit charity with a vision to have a healthy and thriving koala population. Established in 1973, it operates in four areas.

 1. Caring for injured and sick koalas at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital

2. The Wild Koala Breeding Program

3. Education and research, and

4. Conservation, by managing 2 koala food tree plantations and habitat.

Volunteers are vital to its success. A team of 200 passionate volunteers attend to a wide range of duties, supported by a small number of paid staff. Volunteers are on call to rescue sick and injured koalas and preparing leaf and supplemental feeds for patients. Dedicated home carers nurture orphaned joeys until they are ready to come into the Hospital to prepare for release.

The Wild Koala Breeding Program is vital because it is likely that thousands of koalas perished in the terrible fires. Koala Conservation Australia will work with a number of partners to ensure this scientific project follows best practice in the breeding and release of koalas into the wild.