In February 2022, the conservation status of the koala was changed from vulnerable to endangered in Queensland, after estimates their numbers had halved in the past decade.
Yet despite the endangered status of the marsupial, admissions to veterinary hospitals remain high, and a new study – analysing more than 50,000 sick or injured wild koalas admitted to hospital between 1997 and 2019 – has revealed that the most common outcome is euthanasia.
The findings, published in Society and Animals, show that just a quarter of koalas rescued and admitted to hospital went on to be released into suitable habitat.
A comprehensive understanding of the primary risks affecting the endangered species is essential for their protection, say the researchers. So, what is the cause of koala hospitalisation?
"Diseases like chlamydia make up almost 30 per cent of vet hospital admissions," says Renae Charalambous, one of the study authors, "followed by a multitude of threats stemming from habitat loss, dog attacks and motor vehicle strikes."
The report found that many of the 50,000 koalas analysed in the study either died before arriving at a vet hospital or were euthanised on the grounds of welfare, despite vets and carers doing their best to save them.
After chlamydia, the second most frequent cause for koala admissions was car strikes, which made up nearly 20 per cent. But koalas were four times more likely to be found dead than treated by a vet and released, and "those that made it to an animal hospital after car strike were almost three times more likely to be euthanised than released," Charalambous explains.
"Seven per cent of the koalas admitted to hospital had been attacked by dogs, but were twice as likely to be found dead, and if they were taken into care alive, they were twice as likely to be euthanised than released," Charalambous adds.
"These are pretty grim statistics so the future for koalas looks bleak."
Charalambous says it is vital to understand the challenges facing koalas to help inform future conservation plans for the endangered animals in Queensland.
"It's not too late to restore the region's healthy koala populations and this is a great opportunity to holistically address and minimise the threats they face," she says.
"I hope this research sheds light on policy gaps so decision makers can target intervention strategies to save the koalas we have left."
Read more about the study: Identifying Trends in Admission and Release of Wild Koalas in Veterinary Clinics Throughout Queensland, Australia
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