Jaliigirr Biodiversity Alliance and Canines for Wildlife are conducting koala surveys to collect genetic material from koala scats (poo) for genetic, health and stress hormone analysis in the Coffs Harbour and Bellingen LGA’s. We want to collect fresh koala scats and are seeking local information where people are hearing koalas calling or seeing a koala. If you are able, it would be appreciated if you could collect some koala scats as per the protocol below. Otherwise, you could message us on the same day you spot or hear a koala. Include in the message when you heard/saw the koala and a detailed location and we will come out ASAP to search for scat material. The more detail the better, including a photo of the tree, will help us to locate exactly where the koala had been.

Protocol for Koala Scat Collection
1. Find koala/koala scat
Fresh scat is best for successful DNA extraction. Scats collected from underneath a koala or where a koala has been recently heard or seen maximises the chance of isolating high quality DNA.

2. Identify Fresh Scat
Fresh scat will have a strong eucalypt smell, a moist green or dry shiny mucus coating, and a bullet-shaped appearance. Avoid collecting scat after rain events as the DNA will be washed off the scat surface. See photo to the right for some guidance or Google koala scats. If you are not sure, collect them and we will identify them on collection.

3. Collect scat without contact – i.e. without touching it with your skin (gently push it into the container with the lid or a stick).

This avoids contamination and the loss of koala DNA from the scat. The DNA is on the surface of the scat. Collect 2-6 scats if possible, or 1 if that’s all you can find.

4. Store scat in a suitable container
Use the vials provided or a clean plastic or glass container, or a clean ziplock bag. Do not mix scat from different animals or locations in the one container.

5. Label and record scat information
This is extremely important, as we need to know where and when the scat was collected. Please record the GPS coordinates, date, and time. GPS coordinates can be found using Google maps by dropping a pin at the location and a GPS coordinate will be displayed.

6. Store in freezer (-20 C or below)
This will slow down the degeneration rate of the DNA on the scats.

7. Collection
Email us at caninesforwildlife@gmail.com and we will arrange to collect it.

*Adapted from University of Sunshine Coast Detection Dogs for Conservation