AssetID: 54492724
Headline: RAW VIDEO: Koalas Go Home To The Wild After Undergoing Chlamydia Treatment
Caption: Eight koalas have been successfully returned to their natural habitat after undergoing critical treatment for chlamydia. The group, consisting of four females - Flora, Grevillea, Banksia, and her joey Gymea - and four males - Gerbert, Manna, Blue, and Scribbs - were subjected to thorough health examinations, including blood and urine tests and ultrasounds. The primary focus was detecting chlamydia, a highly contagious disease known as the "silent killer" of Australia's wild koalas. Left untreated, it can lead to blindness, infertility, and even death. Aussie Ark, a leading conservation organisation, released the koalas back into the wild at the Barrington Wildlife Sanctuary - an important step in its mission to establish one of the country’s few chlamydia-free koala populations. The eight koalas naturally inhabit the 400-hectare, feral-proof sanctuary. Last year, Aussie Ark enlisted a specialist team from Ecosure and Endeavour Veterinary Ecology (EVE) to capture and conduct in-depth veterinary assessments on the animals. Among them, Banksia and her joey Gymea, along with subadult male Scribbs, tested negative for chlamydia and were immediately released back into the sanctuary. Unfortunately, the remaining five tested positive. The disease had already rendered the two infected females infertile, requiring them to undergo surgery to remove painful ovarian and uterine cysts. They, along with the infected males, received extensive care, including antibiotic treatment. Now, Aussie Ark is thrilled to confirm that all five koalas have fully recovered, are chlamydia-free, and have been joyfully reintroduced to their home. Each was released back into the same tree where they were originally found, fitted with a specialised radio collar for continued monitoring. Managing Director Tim Faulkner shared the emotional moment: “It was very special welcoming them home,” he said. “Watching our chlamydia-free koalas return to the Barrington Tops bushland was so memorable,” Mr Faulkner added. “We have literally saved each of these animals from a painful, perhaps deadly, future.” However, the conservation effort is far from over. The real test lies ahead - within two months, the Aussie Ark team, alongside Ecosure and EVE, will recapture and retest every koala to confirm they remain chlamydia-free and thriving. “If we have in fact achieved that, this group will become one of the nation’s only chlamydia-free wild populations of koalas, making them incredibly valuable,” Mr Faulkner explained. “And our capture and care project will become a blueprint for koala management nationwide. So stay tuned for that decisive day ahead of us…Koala D-Day!”
Keywords: feature,photo feature,photo story,Koalas,chlamydia-free,wildlife conservation,Aussie Ark,Barrington Wildlife Sanctuary,veterinary care,animal rescue,koala rehabilitation,endangered species,ecosystem protection,Koala D-Day,chlamydia treatment,radio tracking,rewilding,wild population recovery
PersonInImage: