A study conducted by the University of Queensland revealed that the most common outcome for koalas admitted to veterinary hospitals in South East Queensland was euthanasia. PhD candidate Renae Charalambous and her colleagues analyzed records of over 50,000 koala sightings and hospital admissions between 1997 and 2019. They found that diseases like chlamydia accounted for nearly 30 percent of admissions, with other threats such as habitat loss, dog attacks, and motor vehicle strikes contributing to the high number of admissions. Only 25 percent of rescued koalas were released back into suitable habitat, with many succumbing to their injuries before reaching the hospital.
Koalas that had been hit by cars made up nearly 20 percent of overall admissions, but they were four times more likely to be found dead than treated by a vet and released. Those that did make it to the hospital after a car strike were almost three times more likely to be euthanised than released. Similarly, seven percent of admitted koalas had been attacked by dogs, and they were twice as likely to be found dead. If they were taken into care alive, they were also twice as likely to be euthanised than released. These grim statistics paint a bleak future for koalas, especially since the conservation status of the marsupial was changed from vulnerable to endangered in Queensland in February 2022.
The study also revealed that adults, females, and those with chlamydia were at higher risk of being euthanised than released. Understanding these unique challenges is crucial for informing future conservation plans for east coast koalas. Despite the declining numbers, there is still hope for restoring healthy koala populations in the region. Ms Charalambous emphasized the importance of addressing and minimizing the threats faced by koalas, and urged decision makers to target intervention strategies to protect the remaining population. The research aims to shed light on policy gaps and provide valuable insights for conservation efforts.
The findings of the study highlight the urgent need for action to protect the vulnerable koala population in South East Queensland. With habitat loss, disease, dog attacks, and motor vehicle strikes posing significant threats to their survival, it is essential to implement effective conservation measures to safeguard their future. By addressing these challenges and implementing targeted interventions, there is still a chance to save the remaining koalas and restore healthy populations in the region. The research underscores the importance of collaboration between scientists, conservationists, and policymakers to develop comprehensive strategies for koala conservation. Dr. Kris Descovich and Dr. Edward Narayan of UQ also contributed valuable insights to the research, emphasizing the collaborative effort needed to address the complex issues facing koalas in the region.