I am glad to have received a research grant from the Zeno Karl Schindler Foundation. This allowed me to start a new scientific project in collaboration with the School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management at the University of Queensland (Brisbane, Australia) and the Conservation Ecology Centre in Cape Otway (Victoria, Australia).
As koala habitat continues to decline due to overbrowsing in Cape Otway, the main purpose of this study is a better understanding of the situation in order to contribute to future management.

Supervised by Professor Clive McAlpine and the research team at the CEC, I and Research Assistant Nicole Davies will be collecting data during the next month, both at CEC and across the neighbouring woodlands, both on private land and throughout the Great Otway National Park. We will be collecting data on the density of koalas, as well as their individual level of stress and their diet, and the condition of their trees over different habitats.

I will give more news about the results of this fascinating research project soon!

Dr. Manuelle Cottin

Manuelle measuring trees

Not enough left to eat

Rare, because dangerous: Koala on the ground !

Observation post

Holding on to each other

Dying Eucalyptus forest

Manuelle measuring trees

Nicole taking notes of measures

Manuelle looking for and examining koala’s faecal pellets