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As the hills and valleys of the Hawkesbury region warm, the secret lives of koalas become a little less hidden. From roughly August through to February, koalas in our region become unusually active as the mating season begins.
In the deep gum forests and fragmented bush pockets across the Hawkesbury a dominant male may fall silent then break into a deep, bellowing call that echoes through the trees a clear signal he’s on the move, searching for a mate.
Meanwhile, females shift subtly too: last year’s joeys are branching out, mothers preparing for new life, and young males venturing further than usual.
But for the Hawkesbury’s koalas, this season brings both promise and peril. As they traverse new territory in search of mates, they encounter more hazards: roads they seldom cross at other times, domestic dogs in suburban-bush margins, and fragmented habitat patches that force them into unfamiliar ground.
For residents, it’s a time to tune in: listen for the bellow, watch for movement across the road at dawn or dusk, and take extra care driving through forested areas. A simple gesture slowing down, securing pets, and preserving trees can make the difference between a safe season and a tragic one. Because at the heart of these rumbling sounds and low night journeys is the simple truth: new koala life depends on it.
