Redlands Coast Koala Watch
Koala Watch is an online platform where you can report koala sightings on the Redlands Coast.
Our koala research team is amazing, but they can’t be everywhere. We need your help to monitor and protect our local koalas. Everyone can play a role in koala conservation.
If you see a koala on Redlands Coast, report it using Koala Watch.
Why report koala sightings?
The Redlands Coast Koala Watch program is a collaborative partnership between Redland City Council, koala researchers and the community. Working together, we gather the data needed to help stop koala decline.
Koala sightings provide vital information about our local koala population, their habitat and threats. The information you collect is used to develop koala conservation actions, inform planning decisions and ensure early treatment of sick and injured koalas.
How to report a sighting
You don’t need expert knowledge or equipment to report a koala sighting. The new Koala Watch form is quick and easy to complete.
Use the web form
- Open the Koala Watch form.
- Complete the required fields marked with a red asterisk.
- If safe, take a photo or audio recording to help us verify the sighting.
- All personal information remains confidential and will not be displayed.
Koala Watch form
Use the field app
If you are a regular koala spotter, you can download the Survey123 app for ongoing access to the Koala Watch form. You only need to install the app and download the form once. The Koala Watch form will automatically open the next time you use the app or scan the QR code.
- Scan the QR code below to download the Survey123 app.
- Open the app and click ‘Continue without signing in’.
- Choose your Background Location Permissions.
- Use the app's scanner to scan the QR code again for access to the Koala Watch form.
- Add your photo or audio recording and complete the form.
Call it in
If you don’t have access to a digital device, you can report a koala sighting over the phone on 3829 8999.
See your report in real time
Koala Watch has an interactive dashboard to view koala sightings across Redlands Coast. This dashboard features maps of koala sightings across Redlands Coast since 2020. You can filter by koala name, location, date and health status, and even track individual koala movements.
Note: If you have submitted a koala sighting, you may need to refresh the dashboard to help your record show.
Koala Watch Dashboard
How to use the dashboard
The dashboard features four different pages in the top right navigation bar:
- The Koala Watch Dashboard page provides an overview of koala sighting records across Redlands Coast.
- The Report a sighting page takes you to the Koala Watch web form where you can report a koala sighting.
- The Ambassador koalas page shows koalas that are tracked and monitored by researchers to support urban koala conservation across Redlands Coast.
- The koala tracking pages shows the daily movements of our ambassador koalas with an interactive timeline.
Frequently asked questions
Q. How do I fill out the form?
The Koala Watch form is a smart form. This means some questions may be shown or hidden depending on your previous answers. Fill in the fields to the best of your ability. If you can’t answer a question or are unsure, move on to the next question.Only questions marked with a red asterisk are required, although the more information you provide, the better. If you accidentally miss a required question, the form will take you back to the question when you try to submit it.
Q. How long does it take to fill out the form?
The form should only take five minutes to complete. It may take a little longer the first few times until you become familiar with the format.
Q. Do I report if I didn't see or hear a koala?
Yes! Even if you don’t see a koala while out koala spotting, a non-sighting report helps our data collection.
Q. How do I record my location in the form?
If you are using the Survey123 app, tap the GPS icon and it will automatically insert your coordinates. Otherwise, mark your approximate location on the map. You will then be asked to estimate the precision of your location in metres.
Q. How do I record my location if I didn’t see or hear a koala?
Use the map to mark the approximate location you surveyed. You will then be asked to estimate the distance surveyed in metres.
Q. Do I need to take a photo?
If safe, please take a photo, even if it’s not a close-up. We use photos and audio recordings to verify the sighting for scientific or data collection purposes.
Q. What if I don’t have time to complete the survey?
You can save the form to your Outbox to complete later. Any completed information will be saved. You can also save your favourite answers (for example, your contact details) to make completing the form quicker next time.
Q. What if I have limited connectivity on site?
You can use the form offline and save the record to your Outbox to complete later. Just make sure to capture your GPS location while you are on site.
Q. How do I view my Koala Watch sightings?
View a list or map view of your submitted koala sightings in your Sent box.
Q. What is the Koala Watch data used for?
The data collected through Koala Watch is used to research the overall health of local koala populations and look for trends. Diseases like chlamydia can spread quickly through a local population, so we monitor for outbreak patterns to respond accordingly. The data can also help us identify hotspots for koalas living near or crossing roads. We can then implement suitable mitigation measures, such as variable message signs.
Q. Will someone check on a koala if I record it as ill or injured in the form?
No, we check Koala Watch data regularly, but not daily. If a koala appears sick, injured or orphaned, please call Redlands 24-hr Wildlife Rescue Service immediately on 3833 4031. Reporting sick, injured or orphaned koalas helps them receive quick intervention, rescue or treatment.
Helping sick or injured koalas
If a koala appears sick, injured or orphaned, please call Redlands 24-hour Wildlife Rescue Service on (07) 3833 4031. Reporting sick or injured koalas helps them receive quick intervention, rescue or treatment.
Join our Koala Community
If you want to know more about our local koalas, what we are doing to protect them or how you can help, join our Koala Community. You can also check out our koala conservation page and YouTube playlist.
Learn more
We have a range of information sheets to help you create a safe place for koalas.