Koala Conservation in Central Queensland: Anecdotes, Stories and Perspectives from the Landholders and Wider Community

Central Queensland (CQ) is characterised by low-density koala populations, primarily inhabiting large cattle properties. We were interested in better understanding what encounters various stakeholders (mainly landholders) have had with koalas across CQ in order to find out more about the koalas' conservation needs. Therefore, we based our research on obtaining substantial qualitative interview data and corroborating that data with some historical and scientific literature. This essentially reflects the hybrid approach we took in researching and writing the paper, that reveals a unique picture of relationships between people and koalas in Central Queensland. This study investigates the status and trends of koalas in this region through the voices of local stakeholders. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 88 landholders, community members and conservation officers across CQ. An analysis of the interview data revealed emergent topics that provide insight into the challenges, opportunities and conservation efforts related to koala management in the region. This research offers a nuanced understanding of the complex relationships between koalas, land use, and local communities, informing effective conservation strategies for this iconic species and giving hope for the conservation of the species in this region through stakeholder collaboration.