Less than 1 kilometre of a wildlife proof fencing is all that was needed to save this koalas's life! Is that too much to ask?

In the early hours of New Years Day 2023, Southern Koala and Echidna Rescue received a devastating call about a koala lying lifeless on the Southern Expressway. Their team rushed into action but sadly it would not have mattered because Marissa (a koala who had been in care before) had already passed. Our hearts were broken because we knew this is a death that could have so easily have been prevented. 

Marissa was hit between Peppermint Path and Honeypot Road. Our concerns relating to this specific section of road (estimated to be around 1km in length) are as follows: 

• There is an abundance of native vegetation roadside including River Red and Mallee Box trees, two favourite koala food trees which will continue to attract wildlife, particularly koalas to the area. . 
• There is a walking path from Honeypot road, along the Expressway which then connects to a suburban park that local residents use often.
  There is nothing to prevent wildlife or people from walking onto the Expressway or cars veering off the road and hitting pedestrians who may be utilizing the walking track. 
• Any wildlife on the Southern Expressway is a traffic hazard which can have severe consequences to both drivers and wildlife on such a high-speed road. 
• With each animal death there are impacts on the mental health of not only wildlife rescuers but to every adult involved or that drives passed deceased animals on the road.  
• Each time a koala enters the expressway there is risk to human life as well-meaning drivers will stop to assist which further enhances the traffic hazard.

There are a number of sections of the Southern Expressway that need to be improved but this section has taken the lives of over 10 koalas and we need your help to make Marissa's the last!  If changes aren't made soon we will lose more of our precious koalas so we NEED YOUR HELP.

PLEASE sign our petition and ask the South Australian government to URGENTLY improve the safety of the Southern Expressway