Named after William Odell Raymond, who was originally a magistrate from New South Wales and who established himself as a squatter in Gippsland in the 1840's. The island is about 770 hectares being 6.4 kms long and 1.9kms wide. The iconic and almost infamous car ferry provides access to the island for residents and visitors alike. The island is famous for its Koala population, attracting many thousands of visitors annually. Having originally been introduced to Phillip Island in 1920, 32 koalas were sent to Raymond Island in September 1953 and released by Fred Jones. Since then the population has grown to, it is estimated over 250.
It would seem that the koalas are now in strife due to the apparent over population and lack of feed available within the island itself. With a change in local fire restrictions etc., trees that would otherwise have fed the large koala population have been either heavily pruned or destroyed completely. This has put pressure on the remaining trees which in some cases have been stripped bare of their nourishing foliage vital to sustain the koala population.
It would be devastating to lose these iconic and charming creatures from our own back yard.
To quote from a recent Facebook post listed by the Raymond Island Koala and Wildlife centre:-
“Bushfire legislation introduced after black Saturday overrules all environmental protection overlays. This allows for all the vegetation to be cleared all trees 10 meters from housing , sheds, fences .Even fences that don’t exist but can be there like boundary fencing. It allows for clearing of 40 and 50 meters of vegetation from houses also.
Raymond Island needs an exemption from this legislation to protect what trees are left on private residential properties. You can help by emailing the minister power is with numbers as many as possible keep writing don’t give up for our Koalas and other wildlife too losing their homes because of it.
EMAIL TO lily.d'ambrosio@parliament.vic.gov.au
Raymond Island does have an over population of Koalas carrying capacity is approx. 50. There is still around 250- 300 according to last count. However DELWP run a management program once a year which consists of health checks sterilisation of males, hormone implant for females. This is done to control numbers . Not all undergo this procedure, they have to meet a strict criteria for example babies , some juveniles some poor condition are not sterilised”
“The program also has a relocation element but again Koalas have to meet strict criteria to move them. Relocation can be tricky and some go ok but some simply don’t and can die. However given the situation with limited Island food source moving off the island at least gives them a chance”.
“Relocation is also difficult due to planned burning with most suitable areas being burnt by Delwp. So we choose private properties to move them to this way they are safe and can be better monitored. This is successful in 6 years I have had one that I relocated come back into care”.
“Pressure from over browsing of reserve trees and lack of rain is taking its toll with a lot of trees in poor health and dying . The Koalas rely also on township private residents trees and this is the issue I am raising . We need to have these private trees protected without being overruled by fire legislation allowing them to be cut down. It is simple but not simple to fix”.
An exemption for the island would then allow council to enforce protection of our trees. Remembering a lot of these trees were here before European settlement. It is imperative that we get this change for Raymond Island . Thank you to all and thank you to Tim Bull's office for taking a very strong interest to raise in parliament. I hope we see change soon before we loose too many more trees . No trees no Koalas Please write to the Minister and to Tim Bull “
If you feel you wish to help in this area please email as above or call Koala and Wildlife Shelter, and for wildlife care and emergency rescues please call Susie at the Koala and Wildlife Shelter - m: 0447 470 905.
Footnote: Images are available for sale from me or at Lakes Entrance Visitor Centre:
Sources: Wikipedia, Facebook, Raymond Island Koala and Wildlife Shelter.
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