Factors that influence the decision to release rehabilitated koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) to fire-affected home sites

This study appraises recent research to critically evaluate knowledge on the factors that influence decisions around the release of rehabilitated koalas to fire-affected home sites. Availability of koala release sites could be compromised at times in the future by the increasing incidence of large and intense bushfires due to climate change. In addition, factors such as the fragmentation of koala habitat and increasing urbanisation impose other threats to the long-term survival of the released koala. Our investigation is conducted as a Critically Appraised Topic (CAT) with eight papers selected to be appraised. We highlight three key areas that affect koala rehabilitation and release to fire-affected home sites - the resilience of the koala in recovery, the adaptation ability of the koala upon release and the components of the fire-affected habitat. The evidence shows that the koala is a good candidate for release given that burnt koalas are resilient in rehabilitation and many can recover and then adapt quickly to their release site. Findings from this study indicate that, when the release site is affected by fire, the conditions that are more favourable for koala release are low severity of fire impact, greater distance from urban areas, connection to unfragmented habitat and previous management of predators. These findings can inform wildlife release and rescue as well as government planning and urban development.