Chlamydia in koalas can lead to blindness, infertility and death. The disease is an important factor in the population declines that the species is experiencing.
The long-term survival of the iconic koala—a plant-eating marsupial native to Australia—is under threat from the spread of the bacterial infection chlamydia, which was first identified in the north of the country in 1970.
Now, a team of researchers from the University of Adelaide, South Australia, has identified what may be the last large population of koalas that is free from chlamydia, according to a study published in the journalThe scientists say the population—located on Kangaroo Island just off the Adelaide coast—could hold the keys to ensuring the survival of the species.
While chlamydia is common in koalas, those living in the south of Australia appear to be faring slightly better than their northern counterparts, in part, because rates of the infection seem to be lower there. To understand the prevalence of the disease, the team captured and released a total of 245 koalas from KI and MLR and tested them for chlamydia.
Furthermore, the team also looked through more than 13,000 historical veterinary records from the island, founding no mention of the disease.
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