01/09/2026
"Once (now twice) in a lifetime Koala sightings at family-owned wildlife sanctuary.
Late winter celebrations at a family-owned Wildlife Sanctuary on the outskirts of Canberra, with the recent sighting of a Koala, the second in the last 12 months. The incredible find was made by one of the Sanctuary’s sharp-eyed Rangers.
Located at the intersection of Ngambri, Ngarigo, Ngunnawal and Ngunawal country, Wandiyali~Environa Wildlife Sanctuary protects a 400-hectare area of critically endangered Box Gum Grassy Woodland habitat, home to threatened species including the Small Purple-pea, Pink-tailed Legless Lizard and Gang Gang Cockatoo. The Sanctuary includes some preferred Koala food trees, such as Broad-leaved Peppermint (E.dives) and Scribbly Gum (E.rossii). With this second sighting (plus one audio record) thoughts turn towards the possibility of a permanent local population.
Under the NSW Koala Strategy, the Southern Tablelands includes one of ten koala strongholds within NSW. Survey results have demonstrated that, despite recent challenges, koalas are still persisting right across the Southern Tablelands. The Koala Karaoke Project supports the recovery of these populations.
Koalas are listed as endangered under the Commonwealth EPBC Act.
Landowner and Conservation Manager Carolyn Larcombe grew up on the property with brothers David and James, and all three continue their links with the land through this permanent investment in biodiversity restoration and resilience.
“It feels like these Koala sightings are the result of decades of hard work by our Rangers and many dedicated supporters.” Carolyn said. “We are so lucky to be looking after this precious country, and being able to share it with the local community through partnerships such as Queanbeyan Landcare, Jerrabomberra High School and University of Canberra.”
“We all think that this is a different individual to the one seen late last year, and we have taken photos of the nose as a possible ‘fingerprint’ for future identification.”
“We are also applying to be part of Cold Country Koala Karaoke for the sixth year,“ Carolyn added.
In December 2024, the owners announced an agreement to work in collaboration with Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) to help restore locally extinct species to the property. Dr Vicki Stokes, Senior Wildlife Ecologist with AWC, said the sighting is a reminder of the value of conserving remaining habitat in agricultural landscapes, where native vegetation has been significantly reduced over time.“
"The remaining patches, including those at places like Wandiyali, provide vital refuge for native wildlife and play an important role in supporting biodiversity,” said Vicki. “Protecting these areas is important to ensuring the future of our native species.”
Under the agreement, AWC is working with the managers to develop a reintroduction strategy for a range of locally extinct native mammal species.
https://www.australianwildlife.org/sanctuaries/wandiyalienvirona-wildlife-sanctuary
Photo ©DavidLarcombe
