Koala spotted in Snowy Mountains for first time in more than 70 years

A koala has been spotted in Kosciuszko National Park for the first time in more than 70 years, sparking hopes of an undiscovered wild population in the area.

The healthy looking male was seen crossing a road in the Kosciuszko National Park last month before scampering up a eucalyptus tree.

"[The koala] was seen climbing up one of the trees where it stayed, looking quite content," National Parks and Wildlife Service (WPWS) area manager Matt White said in a statement.

The confirmed sighting was especially exciting because the koala was spotted in a re-vegetated area, Mr White said.

Almost 80,000 koala-friendly trees have been planted on the cleared farm land.

Park officers are now trying to find out if the male was on his own or part of an unrecorded wild population.

Anyone who has spotted a koala in the area is being urged to contact the NPWS Tumut office.