Koalas of the Clarke Connors Range

The extent and causes of koala population declines are reported for koalas of southeast Queensland, but less is known about the trajectories of populations in other regions of the state. We describe the koala population of the Clarke Connors Range in central Queensland and contrast elements of their distribution, health and genetics with information from two other study sites in Queensland. Koalas were found across the study area, were mostly located in Eucalyptus drepanophylla or E. tereticornis and had wide variability in ranging movements (2.4–2246 ha). Approximately 40% of females carried young in spring and 3 of 29 koalas sampled returned PCR positive chlamydial swabs (all urogenital). We postulate that sympathetic land management approaches may have enhanced habitat occupancy across some areas of the Clarke Connors Range and concur with anecdotal reports that this is a significant population of koalas in Queensland and potentially one of national importance.