PREVIEW

Eight wild koalas have undergone extensive health checks in an ambitious effort to establish a chlamydia-free wild population.

Conservation organisation Aussie Ark, alongside Ecosure and Endeavour Veterinary Ecology (EVE), captured and tested the koalas living in the Barrington Wildlife Sanctuary in New South Wales, Australia.

Aussie Ark’s Managing Director, Tim Faulkner, described chlamydia as the koalas’ “number one enemy.” The disease devastates populations across the country, impairing eyesight, fertility, and, if untreated, leading to death.

Eliminating chlamydia within the Sanctuary would protect one of the nation’s most genetically robust groups and set a precedent for koala management across Australia.

“The disease is taking a deadly toll,” said Mr. Faulkner. “We need to do this work.”

The rescue team worked tirelessly for seven days, using thermal-sensing drones at night to locate koalas within the 400-hectare Sanctuary. Matt Harvey of EVE, an expert in drone detection, directed the operation, using GPS technology to pinpoint the animals.

Specialist tree climbers then used these coordinates to capture the koalas, which were brought to Aussie Ark for rigorous health assessments by EVE’s koala vet, Dr. Julien Grosmaire. The examinations included physical checks, ultrasounds, blood tests, and samples from multiple areas to detect chlamydia.

“We do a really comprehensive examination of the koalas,” said Dr. Grosmaire, detailing the intensive procedures conducted under anaesthesia.

Of the eight koalas tested, five were found positive for chlamydia and transported to specialist hospitals for treatment, including surgeries. These koalas will return to the Sanctuary once declared disease-free. Meanwhile, the three unaffected koalas – including a mother and her joey – were released immediately. Two adults were fitted with GPS-tracking collars for ongoing monitoring.

Aussie Ark Conservation Manager Hayley Shute released the joey, calling it a career highlight. The project to create a chlamydia-free population is deeply meaningful to her.

“There are many future steps for this exciting project,” Ms. Shute said, explaining the need for repeated testing, further drone operations, academic research, and conservation partnerships. “Once we have our disease-free population, we can build up one of Australia’s most genetically robust insurance populations. It’s amazing!”

Ecosure’s General Manager of Wildlife Services, Jess Bracks, echoed the sentiment. “We’re so thrilled to be part of this amazing project,” said Ms. Bracks. “With all the threats koalas face, veterinary intervention like this will be critical to their survival.”

Time is running out for koalas in the wild, with experts predicting extinction by 2050 due to habitat loss, predators, road accidents, and disease. Of these, chlamydia poses the greatest threat.

“When people hear the name ‘Koala,’ we think ‘cute,’ we think ‘fluffy,’ we think ‘teddy bear,’” said Mr. Faulkner. “I see suffering. I see pain. Sick koalas need to be seen. This is the reality. This is what our work is trying to fix.”

Despite the costs of over $60,000 per koala, Mr. Faulkner emphasized that “the work must be done” to preserve these iconic animals. “Koalas are the face of Australia.”