Thermal drones and tracking collars help researchers monitor declining koala populations in Queensland

Thermal drones and innovative tracking collars are being used by researchers to address declining koala populations across south-east Queensland.

Using the technology, they can detect multiple koalas in a day and respond sooner if the animal is sick or injured.

"We get up early in the morning when there's really good differential between the cool forest and the koalas' heat, and the thermal camera on the drone just glows if you happen to fly over a koala," University of Queensland researcher Dr Sean FitzGibbon said.

He said it is a major change from the way koalas were found eight years ago.

"We would go out spotlighting at night with torches looking for eye shine and we would spend days fanned out in a line walking through the bush, tediously looking up trying to spot one," Dr FitzGibbon said.

Innovative tracking collars are also helping conservation efforts by allowing researchers to monitor koala movements in real time.

The solar-powered remote system weighs 20 grams and sends location data to a mobile phone about four times a day.

"It's an important advancement in animal welfare … a few times it's saved koalas lives where we found a sick koala that might've died in a few days if we hadn't responded to the GPS signal," Dr FitzGibbon said.

The technology is being used to monitor koalas across south-east Queensland, but it has been particularly effective in the Brisbane Koala Bushlands at Burbank, where a program is underway to address the declining population.

The field-based research program aims to treat sick koalas one by one, while supplementing the current population with healthy youngsters.

"We need to act quickly in terms of removing diseased animals, treating what we can and then helping with new genetics and new animals to come in as breeding animals," UQ research fellow and veterinarian Dr Amber Gillett said.

Deliah is among several young koalas that have been relocated after she was rescued from the Whites Hill Reserve area in Brisbane.

"They come in for various reasons but almost always they are sub-adult koalas that are trying to find new habitat," Dr FitzGibbon said.

"So then those little ones cross roads, walk into backyards with dogs or trip into swimming pools … we've had all of those types of koalas rescued and released at this site."

Chlamydia is the biggest threat to koalas at Burbank, which is why every koala found is examined and treated, while briefly anaesthetised, to determine whether it can be released back into the wild or needs care.

This is all done on site, thanks to a retrofitted caravan that acts as a portable vet clinic.

"I can do bloods, I've got a microscope, I've got blood spinners which means I can do all of that in the field, so I have a really good handle on what's going on with the koala," Dr Gillett said.

"That reduces stress on the koala and reduces the impact on the wildlife hospitals that are always really busy."

The program, which is a collaboration with the Brisbane City Council, the Queensland government, wildlife rescue groups and animal hospitals, has been running for 18 months and has already led to the birth of two joeys.

"We bring in the right animals and we give them the environment and they can do it themselves, they will bolster their own population."