Citizen scientists uncover hidden koala population at Heathcote National Park near Sydney

Koalas are now an endangered species in New South Wales, with the Koala Foundation estimating their numbers have declined by 41 per cent in the three years until 2021. Key points: Citizen scientists Steven Anyon-Smith and Tom Kristensen have found and named nearly 80 previously undocumented koalas The koalas are within the Heathcote National Park, near the Royal National Park in southern Sydney The area provides plenty of the endangered species' favourite food trees and a consistent supply of drinking water But what if there were pockets of bushland where they exist in significantly larger numbers than expected? Two citizen scientists have photographed and named nearly 80 previously undocumented koalas on the southern outskirts of Sydney at Heathcote National Park, across the road from the more famous Royal National Park. "One day, we went for a bit of a poke around the western part of Heathcote National Park, and we thought maybe there are some koalas around here," nature lover and koala spotter Steve Anyon-Smith said. Why the area naturally supports koala colonies Mr Kristensen was convinced a search beyond the boundaries of Heathcote National Park would locate more.