A chlamydia outbreak is threatening Australia’s koala population, killing thousands and pushing them closer to extinction
Australia: There’s a real worry that koalas might go extinct because of a chlamydia outbreak that’s taking a heavy toll on their numbers. Reports say thousands are dying, and it’s a big deal for these adorable creatures.
For about 20 years, scientists have been working on a vaccine to help combat this disease. Koala Conservation Australia points out that chlamydia is a serious threat to their population. It’s caused by bacteria that can affect many animals, but koalas are particularly vulnerable.
The situation is dire. The disease not only kills koalas but also makes them sterile, which is pushing them closer to extinction. In just a decade, some areas have seen their koala numbers drop by a staggering 80%.
Counting koalas is tricky, but some experts believe there might be as few as 50,000 left in the wild. They’re already listed as endangered along most of Australia’s eastern coast. Other issues like land clearing and natural disasters are also making things worse.
Dr. Michael Pyne, a vet at a clinic in Queensland, has been on the front lines treating these koalas. He shared that in the past, they’d see only a few koalas a year, but now they’re treating around 400 annually. The disease can cause serious problems, like conjunctivitis, which can lead to blindness.
It’s heartbreaking to hear that some koalas suffer so much. The vaccine being developed could help, but it’s facing challenges with funding and approval. Each treatment costs about A$7,000, which is a lot for these clinics.
While the government has been a financial supporter, the funding hasn’t been steady. Experts like Dr. Pyne are worried that time is running out. He feels that the urgency to act was there a decade ago, and now it’s critical to save these iconic animals.
