Drivers travelling through Capalaba are being urged to stay alert as young koalas begin moving across Redlands Coast during the annual dispersal season.
Running from July to December, this annual migration sees young koalas leave their mothers to find their own territory. Redland City Council says this stage is vital to the future of the local koala population, as each young animal that successfully establishes a home range helps strengthen the region’s wild population.
Busy roads can become part of a koala’s journey
Although koalas spend most of their lives in trees, they must travel on the ground to move between habitat patches. During dispersal and breeding season, this ground movement increases, placing them at greater risk from traffic.
Capalaba’s mix of busy arterial roads, suburban neighbourhoods, and nearby bushland means motorists may encounter koalas crossing unexpectedly, particularly between dusk and dawn when the animals are most active.
Council encourages drivers to slow down near bushland, scan road verges carefully, and remain alert for koalas, echidnas, and possums that may be difficult to spot in low light.
Not every young koala needs rescuing
A young koala seen on its own is not necessarily orphaned or abandoned.
Young koalas typically head out on their own at about 18 months of age. Because they are smaller than adults, they can easily be mistaken for lost joeys. However, Council advises that a healthy koala about the size of a football or larger is usually old enough to be travelling independently.
If a koala appears sick, injured, or in immediate danger, residents should contact the Redlands 24-hour Wildlife Rescue Service on (07) 3833 4031 for assistance.
Road safety is only one part of protecting koalas. Residents can also help by keeping dogs safely secured at night and providing wildlife-friendly fence and pool escape routes where practical, ensuring wandering animals do not become trapped in backyards.
Community sightings help track koala movements
For healthy koalas, residents are encouraged to report sightings through the Redlands Coast Koala Watch program.
These community reports help Council map where and when koalas are moving. Combined with ongoing research, this information directly supports efforts to protect local koala habitat and improve conservation outcomes across Redlands Coast.
Published 15-July-2026
Featured Image Credit: Unsplash/Simone Dinoia
