The cuddly koalas have a problem. Chlamydia has been spreading among Australia’s favorites for years.
The bacterial, sexually transmitted disease leads to painful urinary tract infections and can be sterile. In some regions of the country, more than half of the animals are already affected.
Since all treatments and preventive measures have so far failed, 400 koalas are now being vaccinated against chlamydia as part of a study. The researchers hope that the spades can ensure the long-term survival and reproduction of the animals.
A chlamydial koala is examined under general anesthesia at the Vineyard Animal Clinic in SydneyPhoto: LOREN ELLIOTT / REUTERS
“It’s a cruel disease,” says Amber Gillett, veterinarian at Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital and head of research. Like humans, chlamydia is transmitted through sex in koalas, but scientists are certain that it can also be transmitted from mothers to babies.
Therefore, action must be taken quickly. Although in many cases the bacteria can be treated with antibiotics, this can have a negative effect on the animals’ digestion. The researchers therefore hope that the vaccine will ensure the survival and reproduction of the animals without having to continue to administer antibiotics.
The koalas will each receive a dose of the vaccine and be microchipped before being released into the wild.
Saving the survival of cute koalas is an important task in Australia. A study commissioned by the World Wide Fund for Nature estimates that the devastating bush fires in 2019 and early 2020 alone killed or seriously injured more than 60,000 koalas. Today there are only between 32,000 and 58,000 of the bears left, according to a new study.