Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

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CHAPTER 10 . ADELAIDE & SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Culling Koalas—A National Dilemma
Koalas are cute. They’re fluffy, they’re sleepy, and they’re awesomely
cuddly. The problem is they eat an awful lot. In the early 1920s, 18
koalas were introduced to Kangaroo Island. Over the years, without
predators and disease, and with an abundant supply of eucalyptus
trees, they have prospered. By 1996, there were an estimated 4,000
koalas, and their favorite trees were looking ragged. Some of the
koalas were already suffering; some people even claimed the animals
were starving to death.
The South Australian Government decided the only option was to
shoot Australia’s ambassador to the world. The public outcry was enormous;
Japan even threatened to advise their citizens to boycott Down
Under. But what could be done? Some scientists maintained that the
koalas could not be relocated to the mainland because there were few
places left to put them. Conservationists blamed Kangaroo Island’s
farmers for depleting the island of more than 50% of its vegetation.
The koala is endangered—the smaller northern variety is threatened
with extinction in New South Wales, and the larger subspecies in Victoria,
which include the Kangaroo Island koalas, are also under threat.
A compromise was reached; the koalas are to be trapped and
neutered, a few thousand per year, until their numbers stabilize. A few
conscientious farmers will plant more trees. Other farmers will, no
doubt, continue to see the koalas as pests.
If you want to see little penguins—tiny animals that stand just 33cm (13 in.)
tall—forget the touristy show at Phillip Island near Melbourne. On Kangaroo
Island you get to see them in a natural environment at both Kingscote and Penneshaw.
Tours are conducted nightly in Kingscote by the NP & W SA (see “Visitor
Information” above) and cost A$7.50 (US$4.90) for adults and A$6
(US$3.90) for children. Times of tours change seasonally, so call NP & W SA
to confirm. Kingscote tours depart from the reception desk at the Ozone
Seafront Hotel. Tours for the Penneshaw Penguin Centre, the largest penguin
colony on the island, depart from the Interpretive Centre (adjacent to the beach
and Lloyd Collins Reserve) twice per evening. Call the NP & W SA for times,
as they can change. Tours cost A$6 (US$3.90) for adults and A$4.50 (US$2.90)
for kids, though children under 12 go free.
For a fabulous, though pricey, day boat fishing for everything from King
George Whiting, trevally, and snapper to mullet and mackerel, contact Kangaroo
Island Fishing Charters (& 08/8553 1328; www.kifishchart.com.au). A day out
costs from A$125 (US$82), including lunch, a half-day trip costs A$90 (US$59),
and you keep what you catch! American River Fishing Charters (& 0417/869
346) also runs trips.
Finally, Kangaroo Island is renowned for its fresh food, and across the island
you’ll see signs beckoning to you to come and have a taste of cheese, honey, wine,
or such like. One place worth stopping off at is Clifford’s Honey Farm (& 08/
8553 8295), which is open daily from 9am to 5pm. The farm is the home of the
protected Ligurian honeybee, found nowhere else on earth but on the island.