Researchers working for the survival of koalas have come across an unexpected baby boom in eastern Victoria.
The teams from WWF Australia were rounding up the koalas in East Gippsland to take some tissue as part of the Koala Genome Survey, led by the University of Sydney.
Of 20 koalas briefly captured, 14 were females with nine carrying joeys.
The project is sequencing the complete set of genetic information from 450 koalas to build a genome map for the species across its range.
Scientists are applying a level of genome sequencing unprecedented in animal research.
That analysis will enable scientists to identify which populations have important genetic variants, such as those for climate and disease resilience, that better equip koalas to adapt to a changing environment.
As holders of crucial genes, those populations can be prioritised for protection.
WWF-Australia's Regenerate Australia program Koalas Forever has the aim of doubling koala numbers on the east coast by 2050.
The study could provide the help they need to reach their target, according to Threatened Species and Climate Adaptation Ecologist with WWF-Australia, Dr Kita Ashman.
"Soon we'll know if the East Gippsland koalas can be traced back to the island koalas or if they're another remnant population, a pocket of genetic diversity. That's like finding a genetic pot of gold," Dr Ashman said.
Australian Associated Press
