Introduction – The Koala Industry In Australia
The reason I am bringing forward this message is because, for many years, I have been actively involved in the captive koala industry as a keeper/supervisor/consultant. I have decided to voice my own opinions within the industry itself. I still have plenty of questions to ask, and will continue to have these for as long I continue to serve our little Aussie icon.
As I continue along my path - that hasn’t strayed from my original training, if anything it has improved and allowed me to create my own style in the way I work – I notice changes in my industry. The changes in the captivity management industry (not to be confused with the koala in the wild, also known as conservation koalas or free-range koalas) makes me question if we are headed in the right direction.
I will be blogging under 4 major themes where each theme will have 12 articles:
Theme-Stories Are:
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Disruptive Innovation in the Koala Industry |
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What’s in the word “Conservation” |
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Big or best can we do both? |
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Having a big Vision |
The way I’m approaching my different story is firstly, creating-4 theme-stories which will provide you with a general flavour of my industry. Secondly, there will be a number of posts to follow, each covering a different point of view within the theme, which will last for 3 months.
Very few articles on this topic will offer a balanced, objective and holistic overview of the captive and conservation sectors. I hope to diverge from this pattern by offering fair critiques and praise to both sectors.
The captive sector have become complacent; following the same, robotic and regimented routine, with no thought toward innovation. Whereas, the conservation sector continue to talk about mapping koalas and their dwindling habitat, as well as urban development, disease and climate change with no tangible outcomes.
The problem with all this is a lack of vision and real understanding of the koala. Koala Retreat aims to offer a completely unique viewpoint and method to both sectors, and hopes to demonstrate a third option to diversify and explain another chapter of the Australian Koala Story!
Disillusionment in the Industry
The one question I have is; is this a reflection on humanity itself, and where it is going? Are we prioritising corporate interests without considering anything else? This industry now seems to have a short-term outlook, which has a ripple reflect, from the top down. An executive decision from a boardroom meeting, slowly descends the corporate chain to middle management and eventually to the foot soldier, where they become disillusioned and frustrated, which ultimately decreases workplace morale and starts to undermine the entire industry.
This methodology that embraces ‘short-termism’ has had negative consequences on the koala industry. I am unsure how exactly it started - whether it was a transition toward short-term gains and ‘quick wins’, or if it was white-collar idealism or in-house bickering – but whatever the case, it has created low staff morale and disillusionment which have a dramatic effect on the animals. Koalas, and many other species, pick up on the energy levels from staff members, which can negatively impact their overall wellbeing and behaviour. The industry has become more restrictive and more focussed on short-term financial gains, and has subsequently lost valued staff members because of a failure to support unique roles, such as my own. This industry can only thrive if we have long term planning in place, but the current landscape only looks forward by a maximum of two years, which simply is not enough. Explain to me how does this work?
Representing the Koala
I hope I can share with you my thoughts and concerns surrounding the changes taking place within my industry. I also want to share my vision for the future of our humble koala, as I believe that, at present, we are losing the battle to preserve the essence of what a koala is to us today, compared to what the koala represented as little as 15 years ago. They are an incredibly robust creation with huge potential for dietary and behavioural diversity. But, they are currently in the hands of inconsistent systems and a divided koala industry which is rife with inexperience, infighting and ego.
My perspective on the koala may differ from many others, I do wish to share my story, which has been as a professional in the koala industry for more than two decades. I’ve been reluctant to share this with you, but it’s either this, or leave my beloved work altogether, and this could be my last endeavour. So, I’m having one last dig at sharing my unique view on the koala, which is quite different from the mainstream views evident within the current zoological system.
Innovating for the Future
Being in the koala industry for some time, I can clearly see that we, as a society, are losing the battle on several fronts, but for me it’s on two main fronts. The first is the captivity sector and, second (in some of parts of Australia), the conservation sector; particularly where koalas live in ever-growing urban areas. Without innovation, advocacy and awareness, we are never going to be prepared for unforeseen catastrophic man-made or natural disasters.
A Glimpse into the Koala Industry
My aim is to help readers understand my unique profession; and give them a behind-the-scenes glimpse into my world, where I think they will be surprised at the level of planning that goes into ensuring that koalas are healthy and mentally enriched.
As I will show you, changes to the industry and to the role in which I occupy has meant that more corners are being cut. Added to that, this new approach to the koala industry is not benefitting the koala and is seeing an extremely high staff turnover rate. My old-school form of training which has become my profession is now in jeopardy, which has often left me alone in an ever-changing koala profession.
