Predation on Koalas by Breeding Powerful Owls

Abstract

We report observations of predation on Koalas Phascolarctos cinereus by a pair of Powerful Owls Ninox strenua breeding in the Venman Bushland National Park, southeastern Queensland, during 1998–2002, based on 13 sightings of Owls holding prey at their diurnal roosts. Seven predation events on Koalas were recorded, all in the period during June–August. On the five occasions when Koalas could be aged, the captured individuals were juvenile or subadult.