Monitoring the effectiveness of fauna sensitive infrastructure along the Peak Downs Highway in Central Queensland reveals mixed results for koala conservation

Abstract

ABSTRACT The koala is endangered in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. Collisions with vehicles are a major threat to the survival of the species. At the end of October 2022, a 1-month-long project was undertaken to monitor the use of habitat by koalas near fauna sensitive infrastructures consisting of between 160 and 400 m wildlife exclusion fencing leading to multi-span bridges (underpasses) along the Peak Downs Highway in Central Queensland. Three underpasses were monitored using 12 wildlife surveillance cameras operating 24 h/day. Video footage was analysed by artificial intelligence. Day-time walked transects were used to survey koalas in the surrounding habitat and individual koalas were photographed and identified. The surveillance cameras recorded several thousand animals across several groups/species, but only one koala was observed. Altogether 51 koala sightings were made during the walked transects. Three male koalas are presumed to have crossed the highway without using the underpasses as they were observed on both sides of the road. The cameras showed no evidence of these animals using the underpass. We recommend expanding the length of the fences to increase the likelihood of use of underpasses and a repeat of the survey at the beginning of the breeding season.