A new vaccine offers hope for the survival of Australia’s endangered koalas, which face devastating population declines due to chlamydia. Scientists announced that, for the first time, a single-dose vaccine has been approved for nationwide use in wildlife hospitals, clinics, and the field.
Chlamydia, a sexually transmitted infection also affecting humans, is one of the leading causes of death among wild koalas. It can cause infertility, blindness, and severe illness. In parts of Queensland and New South Wales, infection rates reach 50%—and in some colonies as high as 70%.
Decade of research behind the vaccine
The vaccine was developed after more than ten years of research led by Professor Peter Timms of the University of the Sunshine Coast. According to Timms, the vaccine provides three levels of protection: it reduces infection rates, prevents progression to clinical disease, and in some cases reverses existing symptoms.
Field studies show it could reduce mortality among wild koalas by at least 65%, particularly during their reproductive years. “Some isolated colonies are being pushed closer to extinction every day,” Timms warned.
Government support and koala population estimates
The Australian government has committed AUD 76 million (USD 50 million) to koala conservation efforts. Koalas were officially listed as endangered in Queensland, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory in 2022.
Current estimates suggest there are between 95,000 and 238,000 koalas remaining in those regions, with an additional 129,000 to 286,000 living in Victoria and South Australia.
According to the World Wide Fund for Nature, koala populations have halved over the past two decades due to disease, habitat loss, climate change, and bushfires.
