Chlamydia Threatens Survival of Australia's Koalas

Chlamydia isn't just a human sexually transmitted disease, it's also one of the major threats to Australia's koalas; one which experts believe could lead to the iconic species' extinction.

The Australian Koala Foundation hopes to use education as a main tool in helping the animals, but has also launched a campaign urging the Environment Minister to protect koalas. The group is determined to convince the Australian government to use its power to save the species.

While it's not entirely clear how chlamydia first infected the koalas, scientists understand that stress definitely causes ailments associated with the disease to be expressed. According to the Australian Koala Foundation, 80 percent of koala habitat has been destroyed and much of the remaining 20 percent isn't protected; thus the stress of habitat loss works hand-in-hand with the threat of chlamydia.

The AKF's official "Koala Campaigners" group exposes the harsh truth of what human development has done to the species. They point out that ten million koalas lived in Australia just 220 years ago, but now there are less than 85,000. From writing letters to organizing rallies, the Koala Campaigners won't stop until the koalas and their land are protected.

AKF explains that conjunctivitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections and reproductive tract infections (which can cause female infertility) are four illnesses seen in koalas that are caused by chlamydia. It's estimated that 40 percent of female koalas are now infertile due to the disease.

And as their habitat disappears, disease-free populations are forced to live closer and closer to diseased populations.

Researchers believe that 50 to 80 percent of koalas are carrying chlamydia, and if a vaccine isn't completed soon, koalas might not exist at all within a few short decades. However, some researchers and advocates are apprehensive about a possible vaccine the Queensland University of Technology is working on. They fear the vaccine will damage the digestive tract of the koalas, which could lead to more problems than chlamydia.

The Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors group, an organization devoted to wildlife conservation, is trying to address the problem as best as it can with the limited tools it has against the epidemic. Sadly, they state that koalas with severe reproductive damage or terminal diseases are euthanized.

Though advocacy groups and Australian researchers are trying to find a solution, the government has failed to adequately protect the species.

Sign the petition and tell Australia's Environment Minister to create an action plan addressing the chlamydia epidemic and protect the species as vulnerable to extinction.

Photo credit: Obliot