SEVERAL koalas were sighted over the Christmas period in the Wingecarribee, which brought the total sightings to 86 since May 2014, when the Koala Hotline commenced.
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Wingecarribee Shire Council environmental projects officer Joe Stammers said he hoped there would be 100 sightings by May 2015.
A koala was spotted near the Wingello railway crossing at Christmas time.
"The sighting of koalas around Wingello and southern parts of the shire is actually quite significant as it indicates that male koalas in particular are quite likely attempting to move between Morton National Park and the southern parts of the Blue Mountains and Nattai wilderness areas," Mr Stammers said.
"However, extensive clearing and significant barriers such as the Hume Highway and rail line would probably make the journey quite hazardous, and there is unlikely to be many animals that successfully make the journey."
The koala sighted in Wingello was in a forest red gum (Eucalyptus Tereticornis). This is a primary feed tree for koalas and others in the area include the manna gum (Eucalyptus Viminalis), grey gum (Eucalyptus Punctata) and the blue-leaved stringybark (Eucalyptus Agglomerata).
Mr Stammers said council wanted to hear from property owners, particularly in the southern and western parts of the shire, who were interested in being part of the Land for Wildlife program.
"Land For Wildlife is a voluntary program which aims to encourage and assist private landholders to provide habitats for wildlife on their property, even if the property may be managed primarily for other purposes," he said.
"The program is growing steadily in the shire, with 65 registered properties conserving more than 2000 hectares on private land and another seven properties going through the process of registration."
He said the aim of the program was to promote continuity of habitat across landscapes, community participation in nature conservation, and to contribute to the ecologically sustainable long-term viability of agricultural systems.
Visit www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/environment/get-involved/land-for-wildlife for more information on the program.
If you spot a koala, call the Koala Hotline on 4868 0888.
