It is always great to see koala in regenerated bushland. After all, they seem cuddly and definitely photogenic animals. But I think there is another reason that we should celebrate them now.
Bush regeneration is long process that is concerned with building habitat for native flora, fauna (and funga). It involves clearing of persistent weeds and careful selection of plants to grow — and lots of follow-up effort so that they become established despite (more) competing weeds, dry hot summers and the occasional flood. Gradually an increasingly complex ecosystem can form. An ecosystem that can support koala is one that has achieved a certain critical mass. And that’s a good reason to welcome their presence. So, thanks is due to the bush-carers, council workers, community members (who walk through this bushland in great numbers).