Carolyn Beaton launches the koala survey website.

Geoff Potternb

TWO passionate Noosa koala protectors have put the plight of the fast-disappearing species on an interactive map that covers all of Queensland.

Not long after Carolyn Beaton and Alex Harris went on radio to broadcast the launch of their community-based Koala Diaries website, which uses GIS technology to plot the sightings of koalas, there were nine uploads. One of the logged sightings included a fresh one in Bryan Street at Sunshine Beach.

The website, designed by Mr Harris with cutting-edge technological support from IT location intelligence experts ESRI Australia and its Project Location data collection, was an immediate hit with a room full of conservationists at the Noosa Boardroom yesterday.

Among the fans was Bob Irwin, who was the founding force, alongside his son Steve, for Australia Zoo.

Mr Irwin said he was excited about the software’s ability to zoom on to the very tree in which a koala had been spotted and then mark it as well as provide information about the apparent health of the animal. This data can be shared online by lobby groups, government agencies and the grassroots mums and dads who care about saving the koala.

“It really is the answer to doing something to save endangered species,” Mr Irwin said after a demonstration of the website.

“We needed this about 10 years ago before the numbers started to plummet. I really can see a great use for this (technology) for also helping to save the cassowary.”

Ms Beaton said 2010 would be crunch time for koalas in the state after losing about 25,000 of the animals in 10 years.

The website includes education resources, a national koala carers’ forum, photo galleries and blog posts.