Boorubee (Koala)
Boorubee is the Bandjalang word for Koala. The Minyumai Women-Ranger led Boorubee Monitoring & Recovery Project is supported by WWF-Australia. Boorubee are a culturally significant species to the Bandjalang clan, which traditionally refrained from hunting these animals for food or fur – and a decision was made to ‘look after the Borrubee’.
The last confirmed sighting of a Boorubee on Minyumai was 2018 before the bushfires – until now (June 2023) when one was detected on a wildlife camera deployed for the Boorubee monitoring program. This was a significant find and has boosted momentum to build this project to deliver a Recovery Plan.
Most recently, nine Boorubee were detected during drone surveys in July 2025.
our Boorubee recovery plan
This project combines traditional Bandjalang knowledge and story-telling with science and technology to:
Identify the abundance and distribution of Boorubee across Bandjalang Country
Identify the local challenges impacting Boorubee survival
Develop management actions to support Boorubee long-term
Integrate with the NSW Koala Strategy and double Boorubee numbers at Minyumai
Integrate with the National Recovery Plan for the Koala
Integrate with the Jagun Alliance Boorubee Pathway
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Tree identification
The Minyumai Rangers surveyed the IPA to identify the abundance and availability of Boorubee habitat and feed trees as part of this project.
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Boorubee surveys
The Minyumai Rangers collaborated with partners to undertake thermal drone surveys to locate and identify the abudance of Boorubee across the IPA.
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Boorubee on Country
Our rangers continue to work towards protecting and better supporting our Boorubee on Country. With 2,500 feed trees planted already.
