Image: Taz
Experts are considering a cull of tens of thousands of koalas in Australia.
Koalas are suffering from a painful, often deadly sexually transmitted disease: a rather well-known bacteria, chlamydia. While this may not seem like that big of a deal, it’s extremely difficult (or sometimes impossible) to treat.
This strain is different from the type that affects humans, and can result in blindness, infertility, and “dirty tail” — a painful condition that results in severe inflammation of the urinary tract.
Unfortunately, a huge chunk of the population is infected. David Wilson, professor of infectious diseases at Melbourne’s Burnet Institute told BBC, “About half the koalas across Australia are infected. In closed populations, the majority can be infected — sometimes up to 80%.”
What’s worse, koalas are commonly infected by a retrovirus similar to HIV. This suppresses the immune system and exacerbates the chlamydia infection.
Chlamydia affects males, females, and babies (or joeys) alike.
Unfortunately, managing the situation is not as easy as giving the infected animals antibiotics. Koalas rely on bacteria in their gut to digest eucalyptus leaves; without this bacteria, they can’t break down the leaves or get any nutrition from them. If broad-spectrum antibiotics are given, all of the bacteria within their bodies are killed off, not just the bad stuff. Additionally, antibiotics only work in the very early stages of the disease.
There is one potential antibiotic that could cure chlamydia but preserve gut bacteria, although it’s unclear if Australia will be utilizing it.
Wilson explained, “They’re transmitting chlamydia to each other and many of them can’t be healed. These koalas are in a lot of pain and if they’re out of the time-range of antibiotics being effective; the humane thing to do is probably to euthanize them.”
Wilson believes that a large-scale koala cull will help healthy koala populations bounce back in 5 to 10 years. In addition to the cull, a vaccine is currently being developed to prevent infection. So far, results are promising.
Koalas face many threats, including dog attacks, vehicle strikes, and deforestation; however, chlamydia is the main reason for their decline.
We will certainly keep you informed as more information becomes available.
