Koalas on Gold Coast could be extinct within two decades, but Currumbin Wildlife Hospital trying to save them

A huge spike in koalas being treated for chlamydia over the last decade has wildlife experts saying the animals could be extinct on the Gold Coast “within two decades”.

A HUGE spike in koalas being treated for chlamydia over the last decade has wildlife experts saying the animals could be extinct on the Gold Coast “within two decades”.

Last year alone, the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital treated 500 koalas for chlamydia, which spreads rapidly and is often fatal, compared to just 25 koalas a decade ago.

The hospital already treats 11,000 sick or injured wildlife every year.

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Michael Pyne, head vet at the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital with a koala called Targaryen. Picture: Richard Gosling

Spreading of the disease has gotten so dire that koalas are now listed as a vulnerable species in Queensland and NSW.

Senior veterinarian Michael Pyne said the problem “wouldn’t go away” unless koalas were vaccinated against the disease.

However, vaccinating just one koala can cost a whopping $6000.

“Koalas are extremely sensitive to any type of medication, so vets have to take extra care,” he said.

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Vet nurse Amy Deboer and Dr Mike Pyne taking care of Sally the 6 year old female koala. Picture Glenn Hampson

“Every Koala that comes into the hospital must have a general anaesthetic to have a full ultrasound, X-rays and blood and bone marrow tests to see if they’re suffering from the disease.

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“If we catch the disease early, the quickest we can release an infected koala back into the wild is five weeks.

“Unfortunately, with koalas these usually aren’t simple cases, they’re a very complicated creature.

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Koalas need a bit of help Picture: Penny Stephens. 8th May 2019

“So this process costs a lot of money, we’ve worked out that an average koala costs $6000 to vaccinate and return it to the wild.”

With 500 koalas per year costing $6000 to treat, the hospital and its 120 volunteers are in desperate need of donations.

“A lack of money will lead to less koalas being vaccinating, risking the disease spreading even more rapidly,” he said.

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“Koala chlamydia is here to stay, we’re not going to suddenly eliminate it, but vaccinating is part of ongoing management to save koalas.

“There will be areas around here that don’t have any Koalas left in 20 years if we don’t manage this now.”

Mr Pyne said while funding and donations were the “biggest priority”, locals could also help by slowing down when approaching koalas crossing signs, keeping dogs and pets inside at night, and reporting any sick or injured koalas to authorities.

To donate, visit shop.currumbinsanctuary.com.au/products/donations or phone [phone].

DON’T FORGET:

THE Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation will host its annual Benefit Under the Stars to raise much needed funds to continue its thirty year legacy of treating sick and injured wildlife.

Held at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on May 25, the event will bring together the community to drive fundraising and enable the hospital to continue treating and caring for wildlife.

Senior Vet and General Manager of the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, Dr. Michael Pyne, said it was costing the Hospital over a million dollars to help treat and care for the number of sick and injured animals that are admitted daily.

The Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation’s Benefit Under the Stars is the largest fundraiser of the year and an opportunity for people to enjoy an evening of fine dining and auctions, while raising necessary funds to help for the hospital.

Benefit Under the Stars will be held at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday, May 25 from 6pm. Visit currumbinsanctuary.com.au/hospital/Benefit for details.