Josey Sharrad
A new food source to help koalas in care thrive
A new food source to help koalas in care thrive
Josey Sharrad | September 2, 2026
When people think about wildlife rehabilitation, they often picture rescues, veterinary care, and releases back into the wild. But for koalas, one of the biggest challenges can be much simpler: finding enough fresh leaf every day.
Koalas are incredibly selective feeders, and wildlife carers need a reliable supply of suitable eucalyptus leaves to keep them healthy while they recover. For volunteer-run rehabilitation centres, sourcing that food can take hours of work each week, often on top of already demanding care schedules.
Peter Wilson from IFAW partner Mosswood Wildlife collects fresh leaf for the koalas in rehabilitation. Photo: Dominica Mack / © IFAW
That’s the case for our long-term partner Mosswood Wildlife in south-west Victoria. The volunteer-run team often drive hundreds of kilometres every week to find fresh branches, a variety of species and enough for the number of koalas in care.
Habitat loss and fragmentation in Victoria are a big problem, which means the team is travelling further and further just to make sure the koalas in care are fed.
I remember Mosswood Wildlife director Tracey Wilson telling me about her dream of establishing a local koala food tree plantation, so her team wouldn't have to spend so many hours travelling to collect leaf. Today, that dream has become a reality.
Following an agreement with Moyne Shire Council, Mosswood has received approval to establish a dedicated koala food tree plantation on nearby land. IFAW is proud to help make this long-held dream a reality, with additional support from IFAW board member and managing director of Leonard Joel, John Albrecht.
Mosswood, with support from IFAW, has secured land to establish a local koala food tree plot which will provide a sustainable source of fresh browse for the koalas that come through their care. Photo: Dominica Mack / © IFAW
The plantation will provide a sustainable source of fresh browse for the koalas that come through their care, while significantly reducing the time volunteers spend collecting leaf.
It might sound like a small thing, but it's a game-changer for Mosswood and a literal lifeline for koalas. Having a local and reliable food source will significantly reduce the time spent travelling to collect leaf. That's time that can instead be spent caring for animals and responding to rescues. And for the koalas, it means consistent access to the fresh food they need throughout their recovery journey.
The plantation will take time to grow, but its impact will be felt well into the future.
By planting a mix of koala food trees and other native species it will also help enhance local biodiversity and support a wide variety of wildlife. Importantly, it will also serve as a community hub for engagement and education, offering opportunities for locals to participate in tree planting, care, and the exchange of knowledge and skills.
Every tree planted is an investment in the next koala that arrives in need of help. Every hour saved gathering browse is an hour that can be spent caring for wildlife. And every partnership like this helps create better outcomes for animals and the people dedicated to protecting them.
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