3 June 2024
“BRAZEN” KOALA CLAUDE NOW RAIDING SEEDLINGS IN FRONT OF STAFF
But new plantings will help this viral “leaf thief” and his koala mates.
Claude the “leaf thief” koala recently climbed down into the Eastern Forest Nursery near Lismore and munched on eucalypt seedlings as workers shook their heads in disbelief.
Claude became a viral sensation last September when his antics attracted global attention. But previously he raided seedlings at night or weekend days when no one was around. Now brazen Claude has helped himself to a weekday feed in front of astonished staff.
Claude’s activities highlighted that koalas in the area don’t have enough to eat. But now thanks to Claude, 500 seedlings have just been planted to provide food for Claude and his friends.
The seedlings planted had previously been munched by Claude. They were no longer suitable for sale but still viable. So Eastern Forest Nursery Manager Humphrey Herington donated them to WWF to benefit local koalas.
As part of its Koalas Forever program, the World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia has funded local community groups to plant about 400,000 trees in the Northern Rivers, a koala hotspot. By the end of the year that figure could be 500,000.
Volunteers planted some of Claude’s lunch leftovers on the property of NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson who has a farm right beside Eastern Forest Nursery.
WWF-Australia and Richmond Landcare, a community organisation focused on habitat restoration, hosted the planting. WWF supporters donated to help cover the costs of planting and maintaining the seedlings until they become established.
Greens MP and farmer Sue Higginson said:
We’re in one of the most biodiverse, rich areas on this continent, but historical clearing has seriously degraded the area. I’m privileged to be a custodian of this little patch of the Northern Rivers. My job, while I'm here, is to make this place better.
Living with koalas is an incredibly special, exciting, and fun thing. The seedlings planted today are in addition to the 10,000 trees we have put in the ground here over the last couple of years. We’re doing this because we have an incredible koala population hanging on for dear survival right here. We’re certain the trees we’ve planted are making a difference for koalas and the resilience of the landscape. As farmers, we know that increased biodiversity on our place means increased productivity.
It's just so wonderful that Claude, the naughty Koala has brought so much attention to this very part of the world. Claude, we love you, you’ve brought us all here today.
Eastern Forest Nursery Manager Humphrey Herington said:
We had no idea that a koala would actually come into the nursery and feed directly on our plants. I would never have believed it until I saw Claude sitting there on the pole.
We all found it quite amusing, but at the same time, he has caused quite a lot of damage and continues to come back and visit the nursery. I'm happy we have resident koalas but I’d prefer Claude not to be coming in and feeding on our seedlings.
When the story of Claude got out into the media, there was a lot of interest from all around the world.
Felix Mobile decided to pay Claude's restaurant bill, so they actually paid for the 6,000 seedlings Claude had munched.
Once that happened, we donated those seedlings back to WWF to use in community projects. So from September to now, those plants have regrown and now we're planting them out in the paddock today.
This planting is 500 trees, so there's plenty more. There are more jobs to come with these seedlings.
Claude if you're watching this, please come back when they've grown into trees, not when they're in our nursery as seedlings.
Maria Borges, Koalas Forever project officer, WWF-Australia, said:
Claude and his friends raiding the nursery to eat seedlings shows they're desperate for food trees.
This area in the Northern Rivers, especially around Lismore, is heavily cleared and it's really missing good quality habitat for them.
We need to plant more trees and urgently stop tree clearing especially around the Northern Rivers which is a stronghold for koala populations in New South Wales.
Through our Koalas Forever program, WWF is working with about 10 local communities, including Traditional Owners and Indigenous Rangers, to deliver habitat restoration and revegetation projects in the area.
We’ve funded the planting of about 400,000 trees so far and we’re aiming for 500,000 by the end of the year.
We also support two koala hospitals in the region, so rescuers have somewhere to take injured koalas.
Our Koala Friendly Carbon project is assisting large scale habitat restoration which provides carbon credits for land holders to increase their income.