Abstract

The Koala Sentinel Monitoring Program is a multi-year initiative designed to assess koala populations across six key locations in NSW. The program focuses on monitoring disease prevalence, genetic diversity, and ecological factors influencing koala populations. The data collected aims to identify and understand the complex interactions between environmental threats and koala population health, providing insights into long-term population trends. Since its launch, the program has completed one full monitoring cycle (Nov 2023 – Sept 2024) and is currently in its second round, which will conclude in September 2025.

Demographic and Morphological Data

This metadata statement describes the demographic and morphological data collected during the first annual sampling period (2023–2024), which are designed to support individual-based assessments, population comparative analysis, and ecological integration with additional spatial resources.

Presentation form

Table digital

Edition

1

Dataset language

English

Dataset URI

https://datasets.seed.nsw.gov.au/dataset/79705ab4-279e-478a-a006-9f29533a9249

Purpose

Scientific analysis to understand koala population ecology

Status

On going

Spatial representation type

None

Spatial reference system

Additional information source

The dataset provides detailed individual-level demographic and morphometric information for koalas captured and assessed across six sentinel populations in NSW.

Attributes

Column name, description * Column Name - Description * ObjectID - Unique object identifier * Location of study - Name of study location (e.g., sentinel site such as Kanangra-Boyd, Narrandera) * Koala_id1 - Primary koala ID assigned in the field * koala_id2_pit_tag - PIT tag number assigned to the koala * sex - Sex of the koala (M = Male, F = Female) * EartagID - Unique numeric or alphanumeric identifier associated with the koala's eartag * capture_date - Date the koala was captured or examined in the field (format: DD/MM/YYYY) * cap_long - Longitude coordinate of the capture location (decimal degrees) * cap_lat - Latitude coordinate of the capture location (decimal degrees) * Adult or dependent joey? - Field-based classification of the koala as an independent adult or a dependent joey * Female-Repro-Status - Reproductive status of female koalas (e.g., lactating, pouch young, non-reproductive) * Ageclass - Age class based on tooth wear rankings using: ** McLean, N. (2003). Ecology and management of overabundant koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), PhD thesis. ** Martin, R.W. (1981). Age-specific fertility in three populations of the koala, Australian Wildlife Research, 8: 275–83. * Pouch appearance - Qualitative description of pouch condition, used as an indicator of reproductive state * Morphometric: Body length (mm) - Crown-to-rump length measured from the occipital crest to the base of the tail (mm) * Morphometric: Head length (mm) - Head length from caudal occipital crest to rostro-dorsal margin of the nose (mm) * Morphometric: Ear width (mm) - Maximum width across both ears (mm) * Morphometric: Ear length (mm) - Ear length from dorsal tragus to mid margin of the pinna (mm) * Morphometric: Hand length (mm) - Right hand length from wrist base to tip of digit 4 (mm) * Morphometric: Foot length (mm) - Right foot length from heel base to tip of digit 4 (mm) * Body weight in kilograms - Total body weight measured in kilograms

Originating controlled vocabulary

Dataset reference date

Responsible party

Metadata point of contact

Metadata date

2025-05-20T21:11:01.634614

Metadata language