Hunter koala carers fighting extinction offer adoption

Port Stephens Koalas' volunteer adoptions coordinator Ewa Meyer said the group was offering people unable to peruse shops for Mother's Day gifts due to COVID-19 restrictions the chance to adopt one of the koalas in their One Mile rehabilitation facility.

For $50, buyers will receive a personalised certificate with their mother's name and a photo of their chosen koala, an explanation of the animal's history and an e-newsletter update every three months.

"It's a form of sponsorship really," Ms Meyer said.

"The money you contribute will go towards the cost of their treatment, food and ongoing expenses such as the rescue vehicles. You're giving twice - you get a special personalised gift and are supporting the work of Port Stephens Koalas."

Ms Meyer said the group had seen a recent increase in its number of volunteer rescuers, carers and leaf cutters to between 50 and 60, as well as the capacity at its facility, which can accommodate around 20 koalas. It is also building a hospital and koala sanctuary.

Ms Meyer said the local koala population was fortunate to not have been directly affected by the summer bushfires but that the group stepped in to care for around six koalas from the Mid North Coast.

She said around 5000 were believed to have perished across NSW.

She said an April 24 fire at Taylors Beach had destroyed around 250 hectares of bushland.

While volunteers did not find any injured koalas in this fire, she said habitat destruction in all its forms was one of the biggest threats to their survival.

"I don't want to be too alarmist, but a lot of experts are saying koalas could be extinct close to the middle of the century if we don't keep habitat," she said.

Ms Meyer said the classification of koalas as a "vulnerable" species should "definitely" be upgraded to endangered.

Despite fewer cars on the roads over the Easter school holidays due to COVID-19 restrictions, Ms Meyer said the numbers of koalas in need of care appeared to be on par with expectations and lower than during summer, which is breeding season.

She said the virus had changed the group's roster system, which has split volunteers into five teams.

Volunteers only work on the same shifts as people from within their team.

The group has 15 koalas in care, including nine available for adoption. Of the 15, two are in home care for around-the-clock attention, including one with a fungal disease.

Of the remaining 13, five have impaired sight, three were hit by cars, two are "sub adults" not ready for release, one is still recovering from the 2018 Mambo Wetlands fire and two have other conditions.