The University of Sydney is seeking crowdfunding for its Gunnedah study into koala drinking habits.
Dr Valentina Mella is leading a world-first study into the use of water by koalas in the wild. The study is being carried out at a Gunnedah property.
Dr Mella and Gunnedah man Robert Frend have created “Blinky Drinkers”, water feeders to be put in trees.
“This study is the world-first to quantify the use of free water by koalas in the wild,” the crowdfunding site (crowdfunding.sydney.edu.au) states. “Therefore, this project is vital to understand whether koala water supplementation can be used as a mitigation tool against heat-stress and if the dramatic declines in koala numbers can be reduced over hot summers.”
The site has already attracted close to $2000 towards its $5000 goal, with close to 200 donors.
The crowdfunding ends at 9.30am on Thursday, November 23.
To view the University of Sydney’s video of koalas using the Blinky Drinkers, take a look at the link below.
