Dead Koalas Shock Drivers

CBS New York ^ | 7-23-02 | AP

[petuniasevan]

Dead Koalas Shock Drivers

• Australian Authorities Painting The Dead Animals Red
  
  

  
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  Jul 23, 2002 8:22 am US/Eastern
  (AP)-(BRISBANE, Australia)-Koalas killed by cars in an Australian shire are being painted bright red and left on roadsides to try to shock drivers into taking more care in areas populated by the slow-moving creatures, officials said Tuesday.
  
  The move has drawn criticism that it will upset passing motorists and children and may cause more accidents if drivers stare at the roadkill instead of watching the road.
  
  The Redland Shire Council, in the city of Brisbane in Queensland state, said it believed the six-month trial, which started this month, would reduce the estimated 150 koalas killed each year in the shire.
  
  Councilor Helen Murray said road signs telling motorists to slow down and beware of koalas crossing roads have failed to work.
  
  She said the dead koalas were being painted red for greater visibility and then left for 24 hours on the side of the road before being removed.
  
  Although not officially listed as an endangered species, koalas are regarded by wildlife experts as threatened. Conservation groups estimate the national koala population at fewer than 100,000.
  
  Human development and non-indigenous animals, such as cats, pose the greatest threat to the cuddly marsupials.
  

[petuniasevan]

Strange du jour.

By the way, koalas are NOT cuddly. Just look at those claws. They grab HARD and can and will BITE.

Ditzy reporters.

[Texaggie79]

But the Crocodile holds them. I want to hold and cuddle a Koala!!!!!

[Texaggie79]

Crocodile hunter

[petuniasevan]

Notice he also holds snakes, alligators, small crocs, goannas...he's an expert (and a bit nutty).

You or I would be sporting puncture wounds in short order.

Yeah, Steve is nutty - he's sticking his tongue out at me RIGHT NOW on the July page of my Croc Hunter calendar.

[Texaggie79]

and a bit nutty

(thinking about Austin Powers 2)

[myknowledge]

Have you ever touched a koala yourself?

They’re really cuddly and cute.

Or have you tried handfeeding one?

I’ve heard that you shouldn’t touch a koala on its forehead. Would it bite or scratch if you did so?