Issues facing Australian wildlife icons.

I recently went on a road trip down the Great Ocean Road.
It’s one of my favourite routes to head down when I have a few days I’d like to spend with my camera. This recent trip was fantastic, and also very eye-opening… I had the opportunity to speak with a few locals and hear some of their stories about the issues facing Australian icons. It is troubling, not to mention a few of my own experiences that highlight what these animals are up against.

First one.
I had stopped at Kennett River to get out of the car and stretch my legs a little, there’s a beautiful walk along the water. As I meandered my way, I could hear a drone overhead. A drone that drove directly into a mob of kangaroo. As the kangaroos panicked and scattered, I could hear the drone operator’s friends laughing. He continued flying his drone at the kangaroos, sticking with a few of the larger ones until they finally managed to make it to safety among the gum trees. His friends were egging him on the whole way. When I made it close enough to the drone operator, I could hear a tour bus operator telling them off, but I have to wonder if he’d actually think twice before doing it again.

Second one.
Same location, only minutes later. I was sitting next to my car having a snack when a small tour bus operator approached me. He had a group of about ten people with him but they were off trying to spot koalas in the area. He noticed my camera and struck up a conversation about a spot just a little further up the road where he said you could always find koalas and that you could get a lot closer to them. As a photographer, he said I’d definitely want to check it out. Great, right? Wrong. He mentioned that the parks department has recently put up fencing and signs asking that people not enter the area and instead watch and experience the koalas from a distance. [Enter sarcastic voice for this next line…] But what’s the fun in that? He mentioned that with every group he takes along the Great Ocean Road, he makes sure to stop at that spot and always encourages his guests to move through the fence so they can get as close as they like to any koalas they spot…

Third one.
I got chatting with a ranger at one of the spots I was camping. He was setting traps and I was curious what they were for. He explained that they are dealing with a growing population of feral cats. They’ve been going after the koalas, especially this time of the year after they have just had their joeys, and they’re intervening to try and protect the local koala population. He left, and less than twenty minutes later, I could hear one of the traps slam shut. Sure enough, inside was a feral cat… That night while cooking dinner and preparing for bed, I managed to spot another three cats. Where did they come from? The ranger’s best guess is that someone had dropped their domestic cats in the area and that the population has been growing since…

Fourth one.
On my way home I stopped at Wye River, it has always been a personal favourite when I stop at a caravan park (a shower and opportunity to charge all my goodies, what a treat)! A few families were staying in the area and one large group with at least eight kids. The large group of kids were mucking around, as you do, and eventually, they started chasing the kangaroos that had been eating nearby. After a few minutes, when not a single parent said anything to the kids, a parent from the neighbouring camp went over and asked them if they were watching their kids, and were they aware of what their kids were doing. There were a few feeble attempts to tell off the kids before getting back to their fire and drinks. Another few minutes go by when suddenly a kangaroo stopped and reared on its back legs, looking as though it was going to kick one of the boys that had been chasing him. That was enough to get their parent’s attention, who then proceeded to throw rocks at the kangaroo to try to get it to back off. I get that you would be terrified for your kid and the damage that this animal could cause, absolutely, so why did it have to get to this point…?

Fifth one.
While wandering around Wye River, I chatted with a gentleman who helps run the caravan park in Kennett River. He explained that the locals are trying to figure out the best way to help the koalas in their area. They’ve recently had a slew of incidents where people have been shouting and throwing things at sleeping koalas to try to get them to wake up or move around for them and their photos…
Honestly, they’re up against it. During my time sitting around Kennett River, it was bus after bus coming through with ten to thirty people on board each. Not exaggerating, I’d say there were at least a dozen buses in the two hours I was around. That is a lot of people, all walking the small stretch of road, snapping their photos and then moving on. No photo is worth the anxiety and stress inflicted on these wild animals.

I’ve been in contact and will share on socials if there is any way that we can help these small communities approach these issues.

I share these stories simply as a reminder that this planet is as much theirs as it is ours and that we need to look out for our wildlife if we hope for future generations to get to experience them. These examples were all in the span of five days… I can only imagine what the busy season around here looks like.

It’s simple, drive a little slower when there might be wildlife on the roads, watch from a distance, call out inappropriate behaviour if you feel confident in doing so, all these actions, and more, will help to make a difference.