TikTok tourists force Great Ocean Road koalas to flee

RESIDENTS of Kennett River, a popular stop on the Great Ocean Road known for its koala populations and vibrant birdlife, are worried about the future.

The small community is facing increasing issues such as wildlife disturbance, trespassing, and pedestrian safety concerns as thousands of visitors flock to the area daily to see koalas in the wild.

The popular stop was already at bursting point from tour buses pre-COVID.

However, a perfect storm of social media reels and online reviews encouraging tourists to visit the area has exacerbated the situation.

Resident Elenore said the current situation is unsustainable.

“The negatives far outweigh the positives at this point in time,” Elenore said.

A group of locals have started keeping their own incident report book. The entries paint a disturbing picture of the situation.

Tourists, eager for close-up photos of koalas, have been observed climbing trees, shaking branches, and throwing rocks to wake sleeping koalas. They have also been trespassing on private property as they seek to get closer to wildlife.

Fellow resident Jules Lin said the tourists were willing to do anything and go anywhere.

“Koalas don’t just face threats from below; the use of drones in residential areas to locate them has further exacerbated the problem,” Ms Lin said.

Incidents of discarded rubbish, cigarette butts in private gardens, and even human waste have also been reported.

Data collected by the Colac Otway Shire over a 28-day period from 21 March to 18 April 2024 reveals hundreds of vehicles and thousands of visitors through an average daily traffic count.

“The impact of this volume of tourists on residents and local wildlife is something that cannot be ignored,” Elenore said.

Compounding the issue, some Google reviews encourage people to visit the area by showing koalas from other locations. Google Maps pins also mark specific trees where koalas have been sighted.

Ms Lin said online activity is resulting in real-world problems.

“This is driving visitors to Kennett River with unrealistic expectations as koala colony numbers are in stark decline,” Ms Lin said.

Shorter daylight hours have also led visitors to resort to spotlighting koalas in the dark, sparking new wildlife welfare concerns.

“Koalas are being restricted in their movements and are making poor decisions as they scramble for the closest tree,” Elenore said.

Some Eastern Grey Kangaroos have also been displaying signs of stress and reactivity.

“Visitors are approaching the kangaroos and attempting to photograph and feed them. It’s an accident waiting to happen,” Ms Lin said.

In response, Elenore, Ms Lin, and other locals have been working with the Colac Otway Shire to rope off and revegetate degraded areas, aiming to reduce the harassment of koalas and improve safety by addressing trip hazards and replanting indigenous species.

The first project, known as The Triangle Makeover and Revegetation Project, seeks to minimise the impact on wildlife and restore natural habitats.

“The Shire has been understanding of residents’ concerns, acting swiftly to help us address them,” Elenore said.

They urge all visitors to respect Australia’s wildlife and consider how they can lessen their impact.

“We need to keep the Australian wildlife wild,” Ms Lin said.

More information on the project can be found on the Kennett Community Action Group’s website.