Fudged facts about Koalas

Welcome to 2014. ABC's indifference to the facts continues into the New Year....

ABC report: Koalas spotted in new parts of Australia, including upper Blue Mountains

A nationwide survey by the National Parks Association (NPA) found the animal living in the upper Blue Mountains of New South Wales, for the first time.

First time for Koalas in the upper Blue Mountains! Smacks of being a statement worthy of follow up. Did the ABC bother? Nope. Lets spend 5 minutes on the internet...

From NSW Roads and Maritime Services - Mount Victoria village safety upgrade Review of environmental factors November 2013. Page 66-69:

Koala 

No evidence of Koala was found during surveys for this proposal, nor in previous  surveys (MV2L Alliance, 2011). During field investigations and the habitat assessment, ‘habitat critical to the survival of the Koala’ (DSEWPaC, 2012) was considered, but no evidence was found to support Koala activity in the study area. 

Although there were three scattered records in the locality during the last 20 years (see figure below) and there are known populations in Wollemi National Park, there are no known populations in the study area. The study area provides marginal foraging opportunities with uncommon secondary food trees such as the Brittle Gum (Eucalyptus mannifera) and supplementary food tree Blaxland’s Stringybark (Eucalyptus blaxlandii). The proportion of food trees is considered to only provide tertiary habitat (DECC, 2008). 

Koala sightings in last 20 years Near Mount Victoria.

Once again ABC swallow media releases without due diligence! Mind you SMH are not much better with this recent headline that also ignores the reported sightings above:
Rare sighting: Koala seen in upper Blue Mountains"For the first time in 70 years a koala has been sighted in the upper Blue Mountains, near Wentworth Falls."